DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
203 
elegant tree of the medium size, with an erect stem, smooth 
bark, and round head. The leaves are pinnated, four or five 
inches in length, and slightly resemble those of the ash. The 
snow-white flowers are produced in large flat clusters, in 
the month of May, which are thickly scattered over the 
outer surface of the tree, and give it a lively appearance. 
These are succeeded by numerous bunches of berries, which 
in autumn turn to a brilliant scarlet, and are then highly 
ornamental. For the sake of these berries, this tree is a great 
favourite with birds ; and in Germany it is called the Vogel 
Beerbaum : i. e. bird’s berry tree, and is much used by bird 
catchers to bait their springs with. 
Twenty-five feet is about the average height of the Moun- 
tain ash in this country. Abroad, it grows more vigorously ; 
and in Scotland, where it is best known by the name of the 
Roan or Rowan tree, it sometimes reaches the altitude of 35 
or 40 feet. The lower classes throughout the whole of 
Britain, for a long time attributed to its branches the power 
of being a sovereign charm against witches ; and Sir Tho- 
mas Lauder informs us that this superstition is still in 
existence in many parts of the Highlands, as well as in Wales. 
It is probable that this tree was a great favourite with the 
Druids ; for it is often seen growing near their ancient 
mystical circles of stones. The dairy maid, in many parts 
of England, still preserves the old custom of driving her 
cows to pasture with a switch of the roan tree, which she 
believes has the power to shield them from all evil spells.* 
u Evelyn mentions that it is customary in Wales, to plant 
this tree in church-yards ; and Miss Kent in her Sylvan 
Sketches, makes the following remarks : — “ In former times 
this tree was supposed to be possessed of the property of 
Lightfoot, Flora Scotica. 
