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Celtic Tree Calendar - Explore the Trees Individually
By Lotti Brown
Dive into Celtic tree meanings with personal journaling guides for your nature journal...
The Celtic Tree Calendar follows the rhythm of the year through thirteen trees - each marking a moment in the turning seasons.
Each tree offers something different - a shift in light, growth, or energy - a quiet invitation to pause, to notice, and to connect with the natural world in a slightly different way.
You don’t need to follow them all:
- you might begin with the tree that corresponds to the time of year…
- or simply the one that draws your attention
This is a gentle, seasonal way of nature journaling - guided by the trees - one individual tree at a time...
Connect with the natural world as you follow the seasons of the treesIf you'd like to explore all the trees, you can see my Year of Trees guide which includes all thirteen trees, here...
On the current page, each tree guide is available individually...
What you'll find in each individual tree guide
Celtic trees individual journaling guidesEach tree guide is designed to help you slow down and notice in your journal, in a way that feels simple and unpressured.
Inside each guide, you’ll find:
- a gentle introduction to the tree and its season
- a brief introduction to the folklore and symbolic meaning of each tree
- ideas for what to notice in nature
- a simple journaling prompt to begin
- a quiet invitation to reflect and record your own observations, personal reflections and feelings in a gentle and intuitive way
You can move through them slowly following the seasons - or simply follow your own curiosity...
Individual tree guides:
- Journal trees one at a time
- Follow the Celtic Tree Calendar year or dip in whenever it suits you
- Instant download - PDF digital format
If you'd like to follow all the trees, my Year of Trees guide is here...
The guides below are for each individual tree...
THE TREES
Birch — A Beginning
24th December to 20th January
A tree of early light and new beginnings - the first stirring of change at the end of winter.
Birch invites you to notice the smallest signs of renewal.
Birch nature journalingRowan — Protection & Presence
Rowan nature journaling21st January to 17th February
Found at the edges of wild places, rowan carries a quiet sense of watchfulness and protection.
A tree that asks you to pause, and notice what stands just beyond the familiar.
Ash — Connection & Openness
18th February to 17th March
Tall and open, ash stretches between worlds - a tree of connection, movement, and possibility.
It invites a wider view of the landscape around you.
Ash nature journalingAlder — Water & Reflection
Alder nature journaling18th March to 14th April
Rooted in damp ground and riversides, alder is a tree of water, reflection, and quiet strength.
A place to notice what flows, shifts, and changes.
Willow — Flexibility & Feeling
15th April to 12th May
A tree of movement and softness, willow bends with the wind and follows the water.
It invites a more intuitive, feeling-led way of noticing.
Willow nature journalingHawthorn — Thresholds & Transition
Hawthorn nature journaling13th May to 9th June
Marking the turning into late spring, hawthorn is a tree of thresholds — where one season gives way to another.
A moment of change, and of possibility.
Oak — Strength & Growth
10th June to 7th July
A tree of strength and steady growth, oak stands at the height of the year.
It invites you to notice fullness, structure, and the richness of life in full leaf.
Oak nature journalingHolly — Balance & Contrast
Holly nature journaling8th July to 4th August
Evergreen and enduring, holly carries both shadow and light.
A tree of contrast, protection, and quiet resilience.
Hazel — Wisdom & Observation
5th August to 1st September
A tree of quiet knowledge, hazel is linked with insight, learning, and curiosity.
It invites closer observation and thoughtful noticing.
Hazel nature journalingBramble/Vine — Abundance & Flow
Bramble/Vine nature journaling2nd to 29th September
Bramble or vine speak of abundance, growth, and the winding path of the season.
A moment to notice richness and movement together.
Ivy — Continuity & Connection
30th September to 27th October
Ever-present and enduring, ivy weaves through the landscape, connecting tree to tree.
A quiet reminder of continuity and relationship.
Ivy nature journalingFern/Reed — Stillness & Awareness
Fern/Reed nature journaling28th October to 23rd November
Found at the edges of water, reed stands tall and still, moving gently with the air. Fern is often found in woodlands - a subtle presence...
A plant of awareness, listening, and quiet presence.
Elder — Endings & Renewal
24th November to 23rd December
A tree of endings and beginnings intertwined - elder marks the close of the cycle and the quiet promise of return.
A place for reflection, and gentle closure.
Elder nature journalingA Seasonal Practice
Celtic trees journaling guides for individual treesYou might choose to follow the trees through the year, or simply begin with one. There’s no need to complete everything, or to do it 'in order' or at the 'right' time...
Each tree is simply a moment - a place to pause, notice, and begin again.
Over time, those small moments of noticing may begin to form something deeper:
- a rhythm
- a practice
- a way of seeing
If you already know you want to follow all thirteen trees through the year, you might prefer this in one tree journal guide for the whole year - here...
You can also explore in-depth folklore & meanings of each tree, and understand the Celtic Tree Calendar, here...
For more nature journaling guides, explore my Nature Journal Hub...
FAQs
What materials do I need?
What materials do I need?
All you need is a notebook or sketchbook and a pen or pencil. If you have coloured pencils or paints, these would also be nice to use, but are optional.
Do I need to be able to draw?
Do I need to be able to draw?
No, drawing is not necessary. You can choose to explore the trees through drawing and/or the written word in your tree journal - or any other marks you'd like to make.
If you choose to draw in your tree journal, creative expression is encouraged. This is not a technical drawing class.
Do I need to be able to identify the trees?
Do I need to be able to identify the trees?
No, it's not essential to identify the trees with certainty although some brief identification pointers are included for each tree. If you feel like you've found a similar tree, that's enough.
Do I need to be able to visit each tree in person?
Do I need to be able to visit each tree in person?
No. While you might choose to visit the trees, this is not necessary. You might prefer to work with a photo, memory, or the feeling of a tree.
Do I need to start on a certain date?
Do I need to start on a certain date?
You can start each guide at any time.
You may choose to follow each tree during its Celtic Tree Calendar month (recommended) or just dip in to connect with the tree that feels right at your own pace and at any time of the year.
Is this a video course?
Is this a video course?
No. This is a self-paced text-based course in PDF format. It will be available for download on payment.
Do I need to know how to nature journal before I start?
Do I need to know how to nature journal before I start?
No. This course is suitable for beginners or experienced journalers alike. Prior nature journaling experience is not necessary.
Are these the same as your Celtic Tree Calendar tree website pages?
Are these the same as your Celtic Tree Calendar tree website pages?
No. We do draw briefly on the folklore and meanings of the trees from the website pages, but these are practical journaling guides to help you connect with each tree through observation, personal reflection and meaning via your personal journaling practice.
Is there a discount if I want to do all the trees?
Is there a discount if I want to do all the trees?
Yes. You can do the whole 'A Year of Trees' nature journaling course which includes each of the 13 Celtic Tree Calendar trees in these individual guides all in one guide - find out more about that here...
If you've already purchased one of the individual tree journaling guides, you will find a discount code in your order email for £4.00 off the full 'Year of Trees' course - so you can decide to go on to journal the rest of the trees over the 12 months, if you choose.
Can I purchase in my own currency?
Can I purchase in my own currency?
Yes. Although the price is listed in GBP (£) you will be able to pay the equivalent in your own currency.
Is there a refund policy?
Is there a refund policy?
Because this is an instant digital download, refunds aren’t offered once the file has been accessed. Please read the description carefully before purchasing - and feel free to reach out with any questions beforehand. I want you to feel confident in your decision.
I have another question
I have another question
Please get in touch with your question - I'll be happy to help.
More to explore
Explore the 'A Year of Trees' nature journaling course here (all 13 trees together in one guide)...
Dive into Celtic tree calendar art, folklore and mythology here...
Discover how to nature journal, here...
Shall we stay in touch..?
Each month, I share stories from my own nature journal, new art from my studio, and simple seasonal inspiration to help you feel more connected with the turning year - if you'd like to stay updated, please sign up with your email address below...
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Lotti Brown is a self-taught nature artist and nature journaling educator whose hand-drawn work is inspired by wildlife, folklore, and close observation. With 18 years in creative fields and 10 years creating nature art, she brings deep practical experience to her work. Trained by the Wild Wonder Foundation, she shares nature journaling courses and guides online. Her artwork has been licensed internationally and exhibited at Goole Museum and Bridlington Spa in the East Riding of Yorkshire, UK.
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