The fourth and final group of five trees in the Ogham Grove is known as the SEEDING DAYS. They also contain the five vowel sounds of the Ogham and are known as the Chieftain Trees. Interestingly, most of them are plants of the Wild Heath, the place where the tribal hunt takes place during autumn and winter.
The sixteenth tree of the Grove is PINE (Pinus sylvestris, aka Scot’s Pine), known as Pioneer Tree of the Seeding Days (and another pioneering tree after the Ice Age melt). Irish name AILM (letter “A”), French name PIN. It corresponds to the Sun travelling from 9 degrees Libra to 27 degrees Libra. Pine “rules” from approximately 30th September to 17th October.
Pine is governed by the planet Mars and the dual elements of Earth and Air and is considered to be male. It is the first of the “Chieftain” trees, providing the first vowel sound of the Ogham alphabet. Despite its position in the Ogham Wheel, Pine is more associated with Spring Equinox and the easterly direction.
This is what Yuri Leitch says in his book, “The Ogham Year Wheel” (page 29): “Pine is the tallest of trees and, as an evergreen, it is an immortal spirit tree; reaching up, up, to the highest heights – the heavens themselves, as if communicating with the stars, Caer Sidi. As the first of the vowels, it is the first cry of exclamation, AH! the first sound of a newborn baby; Fionn and Taliesin’s ‘eureka’ moments after their first taste of wisdom and all-knowing. Pine is the last sanctuary of the native Red Squirrel.”
As there are already plenty of giant coniferous trees in our woodland, I planted the dwarf variety, Pinus mugo (native to the mountainous regions of central and southern Europe), in the Grove. There are many different species within the Pinus family, including Abies and Picea. For instance, Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine / Norway Pine) is native across Eurasia. Lodgepole Pine, Pinus contorta, is native to western North America.
Pine is famous for its resin, tar-pitch (used to water-proof wooden ships) and turpentine but it has many medicinal uses as well. This is what Thomas Bartram has to say in his Herbal Encyclopedia:
“Pine Buds of Pinus sylvestris. Parts used: needles, shoots, resin.
Action: antiseptic, antiviral, expectorant, antipruritic, alterative.
Uses: traditional remedy for pulmonary tuberculosis and upper respiratory disorders.
External: ointment for skin disorders and hair loss.
To make a Tincture: 1 part pine to 20 parts of 90% alcohol [usually vodka]. Leave to macerate for 14 days, then strain. Dosage: 5 to 10 drops in water thrice daily.
“Pinus bark of Hemlock Spruce: Pinus canadensis, Tsuga canadensis, Carr.
Dried bark contains tannins, resin and oil.
Action: astringent, tonic, antimicrobial, diaphoretic, antiseptic (external).
Used orally for diverticulosis, colitis, diarrhoea, cystitis.
Used topically as a douche for leucorrhoea, prolapse of the womb, candida.
Mouth-wash and gargle to relieve sore throat, inflammation of the mouth and gums.
To make a decoction for tea: half an ounce of dried bark or powder to 1 pint of water, gently simmered for 20 minutes. Strain. Dose: half a cup [as needed].
Decoction as a douche or enema: 2 ounces of bruised bark to 2 pints of water, gently simmered for 20 minutes. Strain. Inject warm.”
The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils lists the principal elements of Pinus sylvestris oil:
“50-90% monoterpene hydrocarbons: pinenes, carene, dipentene, limonene, terpinenes, myrcene, ocimene, camphene, sabinene; also bornyl acetate, cineol, citral, chamazulene, among others.”
And their uses in aromatherapy?
“SKIN CARE: cuts, lice, excessive perspiration, scabies, sores.
CIRCULATION, MUSCLES AND JOINTS: Arthritis, gout, muscular aches and pains, poor circulation, rheumatism.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, sinusitis, sore throat.
GENITO-URINARY SYSTEM: cystitis, urinary infection.
IMMUNE SYSTEM: colds and flu.
NERVOUS SYSTEM: fatigue, nervous exhaustion and stress-related conditions, neuralgia.
Used as a fragrant component in soaps, detergents, cosmetics and toiletries.”
Pine features in Bach Flower Therapy too. Dr Edward Bach said that the Essence of Pine is “for those who blame themselves. Even when successful, they think they could have done better and are never satisfied with the decisions that they make.”
Perhaps Daniel Tigner, creator of Canadian Forest Tree Essences, has the right antidote to Bach’s interpretation of Pine: “Lodgepole Pine is nourishing, expanding and invites us to rediscover our centre and to remain firmly rooted in the midst of external drama. Being centered, we face life with equanimity and calmness. We are able to stand tall and to speak our truth.”
I found this quote by Daniel Tigner in an interesting book entitled “The Boreal Herbal: Wild Food and Medicine Plants of the North”. Written by herbalist Beverley Gray, it is specific to the Northern Boreal Forest of Canada and America, featuring practical advice, recipes and stories from both First Nations and settlers. In First Nations culture, Pine is considered the Tree of Peace, providing food, medicine and shelter. When early settlers came north, the First Nations shared their knowledge of the properties and usage of the trees, which helped the settlers survive starvation, scurvy, and other fatal illnesses.
Most people know about using Pine Nuts in cooking (and these are only gathered from specific varieties of pine) but Beverley describes how you can also use the soft, white inner bark, which has been used as a survival food for centuries. It is rich in starch and sugars, Vitamin C and beta carotene. Ever heard of Pine Bark Crackers, made from pine bark flour? The recipe, which Beverley describes in her book, comes from Northern Sweden!
Pine is not just a source of food. It makes an excellent household cleaner. You can either infuse the needles in vinegar or make a strong pine needle tea to clean surfaces. Or add the tea, or a few drops of the essential oil, to a bucket of water to wash floors.
Here is one final tip from Beverley’s book:
“If you ever forget to pack your toothbrush on a backcountry trip, there’s no need to live with plaque buildup. Simply cut a small twig from a pine tree, peel back the outer skin, then gently rub the twig tip along the tooth surface. You can also use it to gently massage the gums.”
There is so much more to Pine than just the “Pine Fresh” laundry detergent!
PS: please do not support the Christmas Tree industry, which cuts down conifer trees for a wasteful tradition. Our ancient ancestors only brought in a bough of greenery at Winter Solstice because it was considered bad luck to cut down the entire tree for the festival. Let us make a new tradition, of planting – or sponsoring the planting – of trees for Christmas!
REFERENCES:
The Ogham Year Wheel by Yuri Leitch; first edition published in 2015, second edition published in 2017; printed in Poland by Amazon Fulfilment ISBN 9781519229434
Herb Craft, a guide to the Shamanic and Ritual use of Herbs by Susan Lavender and Anna Franklin; printed by Capall Bann Publishing UK in 1996; ISBN 1 898307 57 9
Culpeper’s Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpeper, first published in 1653; this modern edition was printed in 1985 by Omega Books Ltd UK; ISBN 1 85007 026 1
Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Thomas Bartram. Publishers Constable & Robinson Ltd, London, 1998 edition. ISBN: 978-1-85487-586-0
The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless, publishers Thorsons (an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers of London) in 2002. ISBN: 978-0-00-714518-8
Bach Flower Therapy, Theory and Practice by Mechthild Scheffer, publishers Thorsons (an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers of London) in 1990. ISBN: 0 7225 1121 3
The Boreal Herbal: Wild Food and Medicine Plants of the North, by Beverley Gray. Published by Aurora Borealis Press, Yukon Canada in 2011; sponsored by the Canadian Government through their Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada program. The book has won multiple literary awards. ISBN: 978-0-9868271-0-5.
ENDS Author: Veronica Smith first published 8th October 2026
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