Have you spotted several Beech trees in Sidmouth Arboretum?

Janet Dowling, of Sid Vale Biodiversity Group writes for the Herald.

The Byes have several examples proud and tall as well one that looks a little worse for wear near the Cycle bridge. It’s 200 years old but has been affected by fungus and has been cut back. Now it’s a standing snag- a term used to describe trees as they begin to die due to old age, drought, disease, or fire. They still have a role to play and in natural woods about 10% of the trees are standing snags. This Beech in the byes offers a home to a variety of creatures such as woodpeckers. In turn the cavities they make in the old tree create sanctuary for many types of insects as well as promoting fungi – all good sources for food for smaller mammals and birds and improving the biodiversity.

In folklore Beeches were known as messengers. When you found fallen branches from the Beech tree, you carved your wish on it and stuck it in back in the ground, then it would be conveyed to the Queen of the fairies who would decide whether to grant it. Helen of Troy allegedly carved the initials of her lover on the bark of a Beech tree- but who was that really? And there was great wisdom to be had by eating the nuts! It is even said that the first books were written on finely sliced pieces of beech bark- the roots for the word beech are the same root as “book” and place names like Bicton. But as always – how do you evaluate the messenger?

In Greek legend, Jason was challenged by the usurper King Pelias, to bring him the Golden Fleece. A feat that was one of the supposedly impossible missions of the day. A shipwright called Argus was the best builder of ships and he set about designing one fit for the journey.

In the meantime, the great goddess Hera, wife of Zeus, King of the Gods was taking an interest in Jason. Many years ago, Pelias had defiled one of her temples and she had never forgiven him. Now she saw her chance to use Jason to get revenge. Secretly she supported him at every twist and turn. When Argus needed timber for the ship, Hera opened the way for him to have Oaks and Beeches from the Garden of the Oracle of Dodona- a place where men and women brought their questions for advice from the gods. The priests would listen to the rustling of the leaves of the Oak and Beech in the sacred grove of trees and then deliver a reply in riddle form.

When the ship, Argo, was finally launched Hera had the prophecy filled beams as her own means of influencing the crew without appearing herself. While many of her messages were true and helpful, some were deliberately manipulative to get her own way. Hercules had joined the crew and could easily have achieved the task by himself. But for Hera’s purposes Jason had to be the one to succeed.

One day while Hercules was ashore, Jason and his crew received a prophecy from the Oaks and Beech beams that was so strong they had to take immediate action. They rowed away from the island leaving Hercules and others behind. With Hercules out of the way, the path was clear for Jason to meet Medea and, with her help, steal the Golden Fleece. It was Medea who would bring Pelias’ downfall and Hera used Jason to force the confrontation. Jason brought back the Golden Fleece and established his right to the throne, but the people would not accept him as he was married to Medea, whom they regarded as a witch. A lesson for us all to question the values of the messenger.