The Magical and Metaphysical Properties of Trees
A handy reference guide to the vibrational wisdom and metaphysical properties of trees — for healing, magic, and more.
Modern studies demonstrate that simply spending time near or gazing at trees can relieve stress, lower our heart rate, help us heal faster, and improve our mental and emotional health.
As if that weren’t enough, the delicate atmosphere of our planet — including the very air we breathe — relies on the abundant presence of trees.
What’s more, we are a philosophical and spiritual species. Dwelling between the realms of earth and sky, we are beings of both worlds, and our very life is a balance and synthesis of form and spirit, below and above. What more appropriate symbol for magic could there be than a tree rooted in the earth and stretching its branches and leaves upwards into the light?
~ from The Magic of Trees: A Guide to Their Sacred Wisdom & Magical Properties
Below, you’ll find the primary magical properties, metaphysical wisdom, and healing energies of each tree featured in The Magic of Trees.
Be sure to check out the book for a much more detailed explanation for each, along with a a wealth of tree spells, tree rituals, and arboreal healing practices.
Beware: while all of these trees are magical, some of them are also toxic. Please do not use these images for identification purposes. When in doubt, do not touch or eat any part of the tree.
Acacia
Divine Authority and Spiritual Leadership, Divine Petitions, Fidelity, Immortality, Psychic Abilities, Protection
Alder
The Air Element, Connection with the Otherworld, Environmental and Land Healing, Invisibility and Concealment, Masculinity, Physical Healing, Protection
Almond
Beauty, Fertility, Goddess Energy, Grief, Hidden Treasures, Hope
Apple
Blessings and Abundance, Eternal Youth, Feminine Power, The Five Elements, Love, Self-Acceptance, Sweetness, Unicorn Alignment, Wand Making
Ash
Advanced Magic, Broom Making, Fairies, Justice, Protection, Wand Making
Aspen
Ancestry and Heritage, Cleansing and Healing, Family and Community, Mitigation of Heat
Avocado
Beauty, Hair Growth, Healing, Love, Magic Wands, Rebirth, Sexual Attraction, Vitality, Wealth
Banana
Duality, Fertility and Potency, Luck, Representation of People and Divinities
Baobab
Ancient Awareness, Divine Communication and Blessings, Generosity, Grounding and Earth Wisdom, Knowledge, Natural Abundance, Spiritual Power, Sustenance, Transitioning to and from the Spirit World, Travel
Bay Laurel
Fame, Masculinity, Prosperity, Protection from Harassment and Unwanted Advances, Success
Beech
Healing Our Deepest Wounds, Sensitivity
Birch
The Divine Feminine, Healing Depression and Anxiety, Renewal and New Growth
Bodhi
Enlightenment, Fertility and Masculinity, Healing, Nature Spirits, Rainmaking, Protection, Wisdom
Boswellia
Consecration, Healing, Purification, Protection, Sacred Space
Buckthorn
Getting Stuck Energy Moving, Starting a New Project or Endeavor, Wish Granting
Carob
Healing Dreams, Honoring Past and Future Generations, Nourishment
Catalpa
Embracing Uniqueness, Esoteric Studies, Expressing Creativity, Spirit Summoning
Cedar
Breaking Spells, Clarity and Focus, Sacred Space, Strengthening the Energy Field, Wisdom
Chaste Tree
Attracting Bees, Sexual Balance
Cherry
Divine Orchestration, Goddess Energy, Love, Power and Strength, Sweetness
Chestnut
Abundance, Attracting Animals, Relieving Worry, Transforming Karma
Cinchona (Fever Tree)
Digestive Suport, Emotional Clearing and Detoxification, Protection, Relaxation
Coffee
Abundance, Goddess Energy, Productivity
Coral
Attraction, Luck, Fame
Crepe Myrtle
Longevity, Love
Cypress
Clarity, Emotional Healing, Longevity, Writing and Speaking
Dogwood
Boundaries, Dog Communication and Healing, Healing the Emotions, Love Divination, Miracles, Physical Healing
Dragon’s Blood Tree
Activation, Clearing, Cleansing, Hex Breaking, Love, Moon Cycle Support, Protection
Elder
Blessings, Fairy Communication, Feminine Power, Graceful Shifts and Transitions, Healing, Intuition, Magic, Music, Protection
Elm
The Divine Feminine, Healing Depression, Nymphs, Transitions
Empress Tree
Expansion, Love, Rebirth
Eucalyptus
Abundance, Cleansing and Clearing, Fame, Healing Depression and Raising the Spirits, Physical Healing, Repelling Insects, Stress Relief, Soothing Grief
Fig
Attraction, Divination, Fertility and Potency, Grounding, Luck, Magical Power, Remote Communication, Travel, Vitality
Fir
Abundance, Rebirth and Regeneration, Shadow Work
Fringetree
Divine Protection, Harmony and Ease, Prosperity
Ginkgo
Ancient Wisdom, Hope, Luck, Protection from Fire, Wealth
Hawthorn
Embracing What Is, Fairy Communication, Heart Healing, Protection from Vampires, Weddings, Wishes
Hazel
Communication, Immortality, Dowsing, Magic, Wisdom
Hemlock
Cleansing, Fire Magic, Secrets and Mysteries, Shadow Work
Hickory
Childbirth Support, Land Nourishment, Protection from Legal Difficulties, Transitions
Holly
Energy, Fairies, Positivity, Protection, Victory
Hornbeam
Boundaries, Enthusiasm, Protection, Solving Puzzles
Jabuticaba
Nourishment, Sweetness, Tortoise Alignment
Jacaranda
Beauty, Healing, Music, Scholastic Success, Wealth
Joshua Tree
Protection, Purification, Shapeshifting, Transmutation of Challenges
Juniper
Blood Sugar and Appetite Regulation, Healing, Survival, Terraforming
Kamani
Acclimitazation, Beauty, Clairvoyance and Intuition, Divine Alignment, Forgiveness, Healing and Regeneration
Kapok
Altered Consciousness, Divine Masculine, Integrity
Katsura
Lunar Alignment, Fame
Larch
Confidence, Protection, the Realm of Heaven
Lemon
Bliss, Cleansing and Clearing, Vitality
Linden
Heart Healing, Protection, Sleep, Stress Relief
Locust
Boundaries, Neutralizing Negativity, Sweetness
Madrone
Integrity, Sustainability, Wisdom
Magnolia
Ancient Wisdom, Feminine Power, Lunar Magic, Stress Relief
Manzanita
Healing, Fire Magic, Magical Wisdom
Maple
Appreciation of Beauty, Directing Energy, Fun, Harmonious Sweetness, Positivity
Mesquite
Creativity, Healing
Mulberry
Comfort amid Challenges, Cosmic Oneness, Wholeness and Healing
Myrrh
Healing, Smoothing Transitions
Myrtle
Love, Passage Between the Worlds, Peace, Wealth
Oak
Divination, Healing, Manifestation, Prosperity, Strength, Victory
Olive
Beauty, Diligence, Healing, Peace, Wealth
Orange
Happiness and Joy, Masculine/Feminine Balance, Partnership, Sweetness
Pagoda Tree
Earth Alignment, Healing
Palm
Cleansing, Transforming, Transitions, Divine Masculine, Fertility, Nourishment, Peace, Relaxation, Victory
Palo Santo
Aligning with the Divine, Clearing, Creating Sacred Space, Healing, Meditation
Paradise Tree
Environmental Healing, Physical Healing, Wealth
Parasol Tree
Good Fortune, Harmony
Peach
Health, Immortality, Protection, Positive Energy
Pear
Cooling the Emotions, Good Spirits, Paradise, Wands
Pecan
Abundance, Immunity, Sustenance
Persimmon
Banishing Chills, Wealth
Pine
Clarity, Divine Harmony, Healing, Purification, Releasing Guilt
Pink Silk Tree
Happiness, Sensitivity
Pinyon
Communing with Spirit, The Divine Masculine
Pistachio
Breaking Love Spells, Immunity to Love Spells, Influence
Plum
Abundance, Holiday Magic, Boundaries, Getting Stuck Energy Moving, Strength
Poplar
Activation, Expansion, Portals, Prayer
Privet
Facilitating Communication, Resolving Arguments, Soothing and Smoothing
Redbud
Bee Blessing, Feminine Power and Wisdom, Healing Shame, Land Healing, Love
Redwood (Sequoia)
Abundance, Earth Wisdom, Healing, Protection, Protection from Fire
Rowan
Divination, Hearth Goddess Energy, Love Goddess Energy, Protection, Travel
Sandalwood
Blessings, Healing, Love, Past Life Healing, Protection, Sensuality
Sassafras
Creativity, Health, Prosperity
Silk Floss Tree
Attraction, Femininity, Flight, Spiritual Awakening
Smoketree
Cleansing
Spruce
Ancient Wisdom, Goddess Energy, Healing, Protection, Purification, Spiritual Refreshment
Sumac
Activation, Grounding, Protection
Sweet Gum
Creativity, Father/Daughter Relationships, Personal Power, Tarot
Sycamore
Ancestral and Earth Wisdom, Land Alignment
Sycamore Fig
Divine Alignment, Magical Authority
Tamarisk
Connection Between Heaven and Earth, Spiritual and Emotional Purification
Tree of Heaven
Adaptation to Urban Living, Beauty, Survival, Winning
Tulip Tree
Attracting Gifts, Dazzling Charm
Tupelo
Endurance, Transmutation
Viburnum
Deep Breathing, Focus, Pain Relief, Passage Between the Worlds, Relaxation
Walnut
Expansion, Health and Healing, Mother Goddess Alignment, Wealth
Weigela
Joy, Love, Goddess Energy
Willow
Divine Masculine Support, Death, Directing Energy, Ghosts, Lunar Alignment, Pain Relief, Personal Empowerment
Witch Hazel
Charm and Attractiveness, Finding Water, Intuition
Yew
Death, Rebirth, Eternity, Hallowed Ground, Longevity, Shamanic Visions
Go into lots more detail and depth with The Magic of Trees: A Guide to Their Sacred Wisdom & Metaphysical Properties.
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Love your site and your insight. Thank you
Dee, thank you for your kind words and for stopping by!
I have both Magic of Trees and Magic of Flowers. I have tried to “commune” with my geranium which is supposed to be my flower but I get nothing. I do out to my cedar grove and sit on my bent cedar tree, with my arm around the upright part and hug. I like my circle of cedar trees.
Hello Tess,
Greetings from San Antonio Texas! I have for some time been trying to find any information about Japanese Wax Leaf Ligistrum. I happen to have more than a few growing about my land and was wondering if you could me. Of course living in Texas I also have lots of Mesquite, Ash, Pecan, Hackberry, Crepe Myrtle and Willow all of which your post has indeed helped me immensely and will be forever grateful to you for the vast information it entails. I’ve been told that Wax Leaf is related to Privet and Olive, but am not sure. Please, any information you can give me on this matter will be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!
Mario E. Sifuentes
Hi Mario! I love San Antonio! I suggest looking at the properties for privet. Japanese Wax Leaf Ligistrum will have its own unique properties in addition to those ones, so you can tune in on your own. According to the medicinal properties I see on Wikipedia, it seems to get energy moving and bolster the heart. (Energetic properties mirror medicinal ones.) I hope this gives you somewhere to start!
Hi, I just happened by while looking for some information about trees and stuff, love you little place here..I believe in magic too m’lady..after all..’a spirit with a vision is a dream, with a mission”..
Welcome, Scotty! 🙂
This is very interesting. My plan is to create dip pens out of various woods that embody the sympathetic energies of the wood; hence my quest to seek out more than what my simple intuition grants. Thank you for posting this information and I shall save and continue to explore your site.
Pete, awesome! Thanks for reading and connecting.
What about the Palo Verde?
Yes I’m interested in the Palo Verde as well. I found an adorable little Grove right behind my house and was wondering how they might be helpful.
Hello Tess,
I’ve lived in Japan for several years and practice a kind of Druidism mixed up with Shinto and Buddhism. The tradition I follow is polytheist (panatheist for some) and places emphasis on a mother goddess and her children. I wanted to develop an Ogham-inspired divination system that used local trees and I think your book may be helpful in this task. If I may ask, what traditions of Paganism informed / inspired your book?
Tim, that sounds awesome! I do not practice any specific traditions – I am inspired by eclectic sources. My research for this book was generally inclusive of traditions around the world.
I’m blown away! My friend and I were walking in the Metropark yesterday and we came upon a HUGE Catalpa tree in glorious full bloom. We saw it at the same time (I’m sure it called to us!) so we walked over to it and smelled the flowers fallen on the ground. It was so tall that even the lower branches were beyond our reach. I told her how when I was a young child, there was a Catalpa tree outside my bedroom windows. My twin brother and I used to pretend we were smoking the “cigars.” It was magical, and lots of faeries around (I realized later). Then I happened to Google the spiritual meaning and found you! Catalpa: Embracing Uniqueness, Esoteric Studies, Expressing Creativity, Spirit Summoning. My friend told me that this could be the definition next to my name in the dictionary! I grew up in an abusive alcoholic family dynamic so creativity and intuition were squelched early. It’s taken me years, no, decades to work through it all. But I believe Catalpa held the energy for me until I cleared the psychic debris. How wonderful! This truly is tree magic at its finest!! Thank you for the confirmation!!!!!
Michelle, amazing! Thank you for sharing this! 🙂
Tess, at the risk of being wordy, I must share more about Catalpa. I had a healing dream where I was walking in the woods holding an 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of white paper that I had finger painted. I was an adult and totally disgusted because it was so unsophisticated. I crumpled it up and threw it on the ground (even in the back of my mind in such a dream, I was appalled that I littered!). There were water roots from a close by tree, partially above ground. The roots started to painstakingly, with monumental effort, move ever so slowly and scooped up the ball of paper. The tree conveyed to me telepathically that it would protect my creativity until I could honor it myself. I wept for three days after that dream, moved to tears that ANYONE would honor my creativity, even unsophisticated as finger painting. That was Catalpa tree! Thank you for your magical properties, and helping me make this connection!
Michelle, so beautiful! I love it.
Michelle, this was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your dream/visit. It made me cry and I had to comment on the sheer beauty of it. I hope that many read this and are able to open themselves up to the healing messages of the tree spirits. They have been here for so long, and have so much to teach us about love, healing,compassion…among other things. I’m so happy you have found your connection to the tree spirits. Bless you and your journey. <3
Dear Tess, Your connection to the trees stirs my heart. I knew they were talking to me but I didn’t think at first anyone would believe me. Now it is so real it doesn’t matter. I’m so glad you are a Tree Spirit Sister.
Curuni
Curuni, I’m so glad to hear this post resonated. 🙂
Do you know of any correspondences for Osage orange wood?
I have a handful of them growing here in South Central Kentucky, and have been crafting with the wood.
Max, that’s awesome! I don’t know of any correspondences. Do you get any feelings about the wood as you work?
Well, the wood teaches me respect. You see, it is the hardest native wood in North America, and has a really interesting grain(really screwy), and when I am using something like a palm gouge, and I put a bit too much strength into the tool when I’m carving, it will almost always cause the point of the gouge to suddenly skitter across the piece and into the hand holding the piece. Yes, I know, they make protective kevlar gloves for hand carving small pieces of wood, but that glove really screws with my feel of the wood when I carve it, so I forgo its use. Instead, I excercize care when I carve.
Love it! And now we know the properties of Osage orange, thanks to you: patience, focus, respect. Also, I’m getting the feeling that it’s cleansing and protective as well. Do you have that feeling too?
Osage orange is supposed to be among the best woods in the south east for making bows. I live in NC. I haven’t used it myself. I usually use hickory or pecan
Oh really??? I’m in NC too and need my bow strung 😂 I havnt used snow in a long time and I’m not to sure I trust it to do myself.
Hi Tess,
I live in North Idaho, surrounded by huge old cedar tree friends. Recently the property they lived on was sold and the cedars cut down (along with MANY other trees) by a logger. I am completely heartbroken. It no longer feels like home. I miss them SO MUCH! What can I do and how can I heal myself and the area? Will their wise spirits move into young trees nearby? Please help….I cry every time I see the devastation.
Thank you!
Oh Lou, that is heartbreaking. I’m so sorry! Of course you can send love and healing energy to the land. And while this next suggestion of course wouldn’t heal the larger fundamental issue, I wonder if it might be time for a move for you? Are you in a position to look for somewhere else to live? Sometimes when things change around us it can be interpreted as a gentle nudge to make a positive change.
Would a Laurel Oak have the properties of an oak and a laurel, or would it be just a bay laurel, even tho the bay os a different “species” of laurel?does it matter if its a different of the same family? Do all laurels have rhe same properties?
Hi Andrea! Laurel oak is actually a kind of oak, rather than a kind of laurel. So I’d consider the properties of an oak.
Got it, im still new to this, so thank you!