Specific date you're 'forbidden' from cutting down one type of tree

Old English folklore is captivating, with people once worshipping nature in a way that many of us don't these days. However, some old myths and legends persist, such as feeling uneasy upon seeing a single magpie.

There's another intriguing superstition that was adhered to across Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland in times past - and it revolves around a particular shrub.

Blackthorn, a tree native to the UK, grows wild and produces sloes in autumn. But ancient lore surrounding this small tree deemed it 'forbidden' to cut down twice a year.

• Woman 'absolutely surprised' after zooming in on 'fireball falling to Earth'
• Princess Kate becomes 'firm friends' with one particular royal who has 'been there from the start'

Both 11 November and 11 May were considered unlucky dates to fell blackthorn in bygone times, as it was thought to be a 'magical tree' in Celtic mythology.

The tree is also known as wild plum and the 'wishing thorn', and it has a distinctive appearance when seen in hedgerows or urban woods and parks, reports the Express.

The blog, Irish Stick, explained the folklore: "Blackthorn was considered as a protection against the fairies as they regarded it very highly.

"It was said to be protected by the lunantishees (moon fairies) who, at the best of time, were no friends to humans and would curse anyone foolish enough to cut down a blackthorn on the November 11 (the original All Hallow's Eve) or on the May 11 (original May Day).

"The best time to harvest the tree was during the full moon, as the lunantishees would be away during that time - on a good day, the lunantishees would give inspiration to the musician or the poet as well as valour and strength to the warrior."

The same type of folklore encompasses the hawthorn tree which is regarded as a 'cousin' to the blackthorn, with both these shrubs steeped in myth and legend.

Hawthorns were frequently planted in remembrance of someone when they passed away and were also deeply connected with 'fairy folk' and even as a gateway to the 'Otherworld'.

The hawthorn (also called May tree or whitethorn) boasts striking blossoms in spring, (as does the blackthorn), but felling a hawthorn tree was believed to 'lead to instant death', according to superstition in earlier centuries.

Chopping down blackthorn at particular times of the year (November 11 and May 11) would mean 'a curse from the fairy folk' - and this is one reason why they remain plentiful, even still standing in random locations today.

But even in spring when a hawthorn is in bloom, a magnificent display of white (or occasionally pink) blossom, severing a branch or small twig bearing flowers and bringing it indoors was also deemed to be unlucky in bygone days - and there are probably still some people today who wouldn't risk it.