Lakes Coin Tree

[+bargee]

Whilst we were investigating a walk via some caches in the lakes by Ullswater, we came across pictures of a tree that has had lots of copper coins hammered into it? the tree is near Aira Force.

 

Does anybody have any more info on the tree? and why? walk page

[+Rose_Thorn]

I don't really know the answer but I wondered whether it might possibly be a sculpture type thing? I know a lot of places in the Lakes have random "natural" sculptures scattered around the place. The coins do look like they form a bark-pattern and also look as if they may have been varnished over.

 

I know there are loads of coins in the pool at the foot of the biggest waterfall at Aira Force but I think they are there because of superstition. I've often fancied wading in and grabbing a few handfuls but only in my more mercenary moments

[+HazelS]

Iain...

 

I read about that tree once, trying to rack my brains as to where I read about it...

 

If I do - I'll copy it for you!

[+JustAlan]

There's a load off copper coins hammered into a fallen trunk in Dovedale (Peak District) as well. No idea on why it's done though.

[+Skate and Jane]

A large oak tree in the grounds of Berry Pomeroy castle in Devon has loads of coins wedged into it. I believe it is some sort of good luck practice.

[Stratford Strollers]

There's a large fallen trunk (a beech I think) with loads of coins hammered in and then bent over, in the woods on the left bank of the river at Bolton Abbey about 15 miles west of Harrogate. No idea why though.

[+Jimblonduk]

Apparently this is the idea....

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wish_Tree

 

HTH

[+Firth of Forth]

And then....what about a shoe tree??!!

 

The Balerno Shoe Tree

 

and again here

Edited March 13, 2007 by Firth of Forth

[+bargee]

Thanks for all the replys

 

aren't peoples beliefs/ superstitions strange?

 

Iain the bargee

[+Guanajuato]

No idea what started them, but its just something that some people do with their kids. My wife added coins to the two at bolton abbey (one near the stepping stones, one further up river I think) and the one at Aira Force. We've done the same with our daughter - no religious reason or superstition at all. I guess kids see the tree full of coins and pester mum/dad to add one (or more). All a bit pointless! A bit like rooting around in the countryside for tupperware really!

 

It usually ends up with bashed fingers.

[+Guess Who?]

I saw this in Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire

[+The Golem]

I found this and then I found this which seems to answer the question...

 

You do realise I'll have to go and look for this now...

Edited March 14, 2007 by The Golem

[+Jimblonduk]

And then....what about a shoe tree??!!

 

The Balerno Shoe Tree

 

and again here

 

So which one is the film can hidden in ??

[+Firth of Forth]

And then....what about a shoe tree??!!

 

The Balerno Shoe Tree

 

and again here

 

So which one is the film can hidden in ??

 

Luckily the cache box is nearby but not hanging from the tree.

Edited March 14, 2007 by Firth of Forth

[+Globetrotter.uk]

The real reason for the coin trees and other weird tree alike is so that some geocacher may decide to mention on the forums otherwise after seeing one and not knowing the reason for such a tree would have left him barking mad.

[+arock&ahardplace]

I doubt that the tree grants peoples' wishes when they've killed it!

[+Team Clova]

Found this coin tree just past The Fairy Glen cache - maybe its the faries that are doing it!!

 

 

About 6 miles from this cache is the now archived Clootie Well cache, so maybe its some sort of local thing??