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Mythology and symbolism
The oak was sacred to many gods including Zeus, Jupiter and the Celtic Dagda. Each of these gods ruled over thunder and lightning, and oak trees are often hit by lightning as they are the tallest living feature in the landscape.
Druids practised rituals in oak groves and cherished the mistletoe that grows in oak tree branches. It’s also linked with royalty: ancient kings and Roman Emperors wore crowns of oak leaves.
In England, the oak is a national symbol of strength. Couples were wed under ancient oaks in Oliver Cromwell’s time. Oak is the emblem of many environmental groups, including the Woodland Trust.