Britain, Ireland, Scottish clootie trees

In different parts of Britain, Ireland and northern Europe, there is a tradition of fastening rags to trees (usually hawthorn) near holy wells. After taking the water people tie a piece of their clothing to the tree. The tree is a symbol of long life and health. In Scotland these are known as clootie (cloth) trees.   

The Gentleman's Magazine of 1823 shows this to be an ancient custom in England even then ... 'St Oswald's Well has a peculiar charm ... if a shirt is taken off a sick person and then thrown into this well, it will show whether the person so sick, will recover or die. If it floats it denotes recovery .. to reward the saint they tear off a rag of the shirt and leave it hanging on the briars thereabouts.' 'where' says the writer .. 'I have seen such numbers as might have made a fayre ream in a paper myll.' 

In Ireland, according to Janet and Colin Bord (1983) 'there are about sixty holy wells in Co. Carlow and at each of them is an ancient skeough (Whitethorn Bush).  On these bushes, pilgrims to the wells were in the habit of hanging ... strips of cloth (also beads / rosaries etc.) in acknowledgement of cures obtained there.' There are over 3,000 holy wells/trees in Ireland.

Picture:
Tree dressing in Swindon