Dovedale - where money grows on trees

[eigg head]

An odd query this one, but someone might know the answer...

In Dovedale at the weekend, right by the main path, we noticed quite a few tree stumps and logs (some 7-8 metres long) had coins quite deliberately inserted in them, at fairly close intervals and sometimes almost making interesting patterns. All 1p and 2p mostly, and most embedded so deep that they must have been hammered in with real effort. Strange I hadn't noticed them before. Were they:

a. some sort of National Trust woodland management practice?!
b. some sort of lottery funded art work?!
c. some sort of strange tradition whereby people take odd coins and a hammer on their country walk?!
d. some sort of project to tease all the children who try (unsuccessfully) to lever them out?!

There were a few friendly dippers about, particularly once the path got quieter towards dusk, and some fine views of them walking underwater too.

[Doggle Avaddit]

Ad Libitum: Money grows on trees in England

[AshLee]

A Pagan tradition then? How odd.

[sunnydale]

I heard that that copper coins (especially) are hammered into tree stumps to kill them

Tracey

[earthdragon64]

I've seen this at the Fairy Glen RSPB reserve near Rosemarkie on the Black Isle. Right at the end of path through the glen, there is a waterfall with a bridge over the outlet stream and a couple of old logs with loads of coins hammered in.

Not too far from Fairy Glen, near Munlochy, there is also a Clootie Well, which is an old Celtic tradition. Pieces of rag, or "Clooties" are dipped into a well or spring which is regarded as holy, then tied to trees, whilst a prayer is said, usually for healing.

As the two sites are fairly close to each other, there may be a connection, or at least the origins may be similar.

[Cymbalaria]

I came across a similar feature at Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire a couple of years ago. A large felled tree trunk covered in coins, as you say, hammered in. I'd never seen anything like it before and don't know how it came to be.

Cymbalaria

[eigg head]

When I first saw them I did wonder whether they were somehow designed to prevent re-growth, but the big fallen logs...maybe the coins are supposed to stop us sitting on them!
I've heard of one or two money trees - I think there's one out on an island in Loch Maree and one in Loch Lomond too.

[AshLee]

They can be called "Wish Trees" apparently:

Wish Tree - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

We must have a reasonable cross-section of the population here on WAB. Has no one practiced this, or known of someone who has?