I'm currently reading Walking With Trees by Glennie Kindred and turned first to the chapter on hawthorn, my favourite tree. I learned there are two species native to Britain, the Common and Midland. Venturing to my local park I found beautiful specimens of both and studied their leaves to identify them. The Common variety having deeply lobed leaves, the Midland, shallower lobed.
Hawthorn leaves were known as 'bread & cheese' to country people and travellers throughout the ages, nibbling on them is said to stave off hunger. When walking I often eat the leaves to take in the magic of these beautiful beings, thanking the trees always.
Common Hawthorn - note the deeply lobed leaves
Midland Hawthorn - branches too high to get a leaf close up
Midland Hawthorn & Common Hawthorn
