🌿 Oak Before Ash: A Summer Forecast in the Trees

Ash before oak you’re in for a soak,
Oak before ash you’re in for a splash.

One of our Tuesday stitch-night regulars shared this bit of old weather lore with me earlier this week, and I just had to feature it for today's Sunday Ramble.

These kinds of sayings have been passed down for generations - often spoken aloud, remembered in families, or shared over cups of tea (or a pint). I love that it came to me in conversation, in the old way.

So I set off on a long walk to investigate.

And it looks to me that, at least here in Somerset, the oaks have it - leafing out well ahead of the ash.

Ash tree just coming into bud

Oak tree coming into leaf

According to the old rhyme, that means we’re in for a splash, not a soak - just the odd shower, and (hopefully) a sunny summer ahead.

Of course, it’s not an exact science. But there’s something joyful about reading the signs in the trees - noticing who wakes up first, and what they might be telling us about the season to come.

What are the trees saying where you are?

🌳 Oak and ash trees have long featured in our traditional sayings, tales, and music.
🎶 I’ve recorded a verse of the traditional folk song “The Oak and the Ash” to go along with today’s Sunday Ramble - you can listen here: