i done a google search to get the below info... it seems that the native indians in america saw the oak tree to stand for wisdom... but i can't find much more on them...
TREE SPIRITS
Tree Fauns- male tree spirits. Are said to be kindly, wise and reserved. Open to sensitive women and may court their souls.
Tree Nymphs- female tree spirits. Are said to be more playful and adventurous with humans. May fall in love with a human man.
http://cristalweb.com/ethno/index.php3?cat=art&id=1&lan=enThe Oak - king of the forest - had a special role among all other plants. The Carnuti forest is made of Oaks, and there the druids gathered once a year - an all nations meeting -, and close or under an Oak the druids would teach their lessons. Its wood burns slowly so it guarantees a longlasting fire. Its celtic name is "Duir" which means doorway, and the Oak symbolized a doorway to mysteries and strength. Moreover, the Oak was the supporting tree for the Mistletoe, probably the most sacred plant within the druidic tradition.
Mistletoe was held in great reverence by the Druids. They went forth clad in white robes to search for the sacred plant, and when it was discovered, one of the Druids ascended the tree and gathered it with great ceremony, separating it from the Oak with a purified knife. The Mistletoe was supposed to be cut only at a particular age of the moon, normally in the beginning of the year, and it would be seeked by the druids only when they had visions that would lead them to the sacred plant. When no visions would occur for a long time, or the Mistletoe would fall to the ground, that would be considered as a very bad omen bound to bring misfortune on the nation. The Mistletoe was considered to be a strong protection against all kind of evil.
http://www.angelfire.com/nc/HUMMINGBIRD1/tree.htmlOAK TREE (the Brave) - robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.
http://www.dragonmother.com/pages.php?page=treelore (Wands)
American red Oak, White oak, and Figured English Oak.
The Oak tree symbolizes the growth energy of the Earth and Sun, Royal Majesty, and the force of Truth. It is the tree of the Kings of the Gods- Odin, Zeus, Jupiter- all thunderbearers; perhaps because the Oak's roots reach so deep, it tends to draw Lightning. In Celtic traditions, the Oak is the tree of Lugh the god of Sun and light, and the Queen of the celtic goddesses, Brigid.
The Oak is, of course, closely connected with the Druidic Tradition. It is the sovereign tree of England. There is a tradition that no king of england will be legitimate unless he sits on an Oaken throne. The great Druidic magician, Merlin, and the later Magus John Dee, both wielded Oaken staves and wands. Oak is a grounding wood, and I like it for Children's wands, for that reason, offering the gifts of stability and strength to the child as he grows.
If you are born in the month of May, an Oak wand might be just right for you. Oak people are determined, self-motivated, enthusiastic and responsible. They are gounded people, who can stay calm in a crisis. Although serious minded, they are cheerful and optimistic in the face of opposition, and do not give up easily.
Oak comes in nearly as many colors as there are trees. Its reactive nature can be exploited by an old alchemical process, which creates an magnificent rich black color. This is not a stain, but a chemical change within the wood itself; Every detail of the grain is visible, in all its intricate beauty. A careful, meditative look at your wand will reveal streaks of black, brown, even pale yellow, in the darkened wood
http://grandpasgeneral.com/boswood.htmlTHE MIGHTY OAK
The oak tree is the tree of Zeus, Jupiter, Hercules, The Dagda (The Chief of the Elder Irish gods), Thor and all other Thunder Gods. The royalty of the Oak needs no enlarging upon. The Oak is the tree of endurance and triumph, and like the Ash, is said to count the lightings'flash. The Oak is a male wood which is ideal for the construction of any tool that needs the male influence such as Athames, certain wands and staffs. The midsummer fire is always Oak and the need fire is always kindled in an Oak log.
OCCULT ASPECTS: Endurance, triumph, strength, power, dominion, prosperity, sacrifice, guardian, liberator.
http://www.paralumun.com/oak.htmOAK TREE
The Oak is considered by many to be a magical tree.
Devotees of the Phoenician God Baal made sacrifial offerings under the Oak.
The Jews considered it sacred because Abraham encontered the Angel of Jehovah under an Oak tree.
Socretes regarded the Oak as an Oracle tree. All Druid rites involved the use of an Oak tree.
The Oak was also sacred to the Roman God Jupiter. In Scandanavia the Oak tree was dedicated to Thor
OAK is the king of the forest. Oak trees are safe havens and homes for many varieties of fairies. Oakmen are created when an oak stump sends up shoots. One should never take food offered by the Oakmen, as it is poisonous. FPRIVATE "TYPE=PICT;ALT=enchanted garden - folklore fairy"
http://www.gardenfairy.com/fairygarden/fairylore.htmFairies cherish the Great Oak and use the acorns for decoration, celebrations and use the tops for hats. The leaves are used in the autumn celebrations. There are some families of fairies who live in the Great Oaks. Hundreds of faeries have been found to live in the oldest Oaks. There are fairies to be found in every Oak tree, the health of the surrounding environment plays a major role in determining the number of fairies that actually inhabit the Great Oak. Planting an acorn in the dark of the moon ensures that you shall receive money in the near future. Carrying an acorn increases fertility and strengthens sexual potency. Carrying a piece of Oak draws good luck.
http://www.geocities.com/gardenwitchry/trees/trees2.htmlThe Oak Tree - The tree of truth. It is ancient and wise and has an old spirit. An important tree for the druids. The mistletoe of the oak tree has many magickal properties. It is also a marriage tree. Symbolic of the marriage between the god and the goddess. If you dance around the oak tree and wear some of its leaves you will have a long and happy marriage. It is said that if there is a question in your heart that you cannot find the answer to then go to an oak tree and embrace it and ask the spirit of the oak tree to answer your question. If you should know then the oakman will send you a prophetic dream.
http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1084761If you have a belief in folk magic and have an oak tree, you can make your galls *do magic* if you suspect your child has been hit with the evil eye or bewitched. They will provide a tool for you to determine if it is so,or if you are just some highly superstitious, over protective parent.
Your easy to use directions:
----The procedure is meant to be done in strict silence, otherwise the reading may be inaccurate. ( Yes, that would screw up the entire scientific process, I'm sure.)
Cut three oak apples from a tree and put into a bucket, bowl, etc. of water.
Place bucket (or whatever) under child's cradle.
If apples float - the child is safe. If apples sink - the child is afflicted with some crazy curse. There is no provision for the apples behaving differently. If this happens you OBVIOUSLY weren't quiet enough.
Thankfully, the intuitive, divining oak apples have saved the day and let you know what the problem is, so you can fix your little one!
http://www.viable-herbal.com/singles/herbs/s709.htm (about the bark)
The white oak tree is native to North America and can reach up to 150 feet high. Dried white Oak Bark has many health-promoting properties and is a natural source for tannic acid. This makes it useful for stomach and digestive concerns, as well as skin health and much more. You'll often find white oak in natural skin creams for a variety of applications.
Oak Bark is also known by the names White Oak, Tanner's Bark, Royal Protector, English Oak, Common Oak, Green Oak, Red Oak, and Black Oak. White Oak Bark is native to England and has been naturalized in the U.S., where it is found mainly in the East. It grows as high as 100 feet and can live as long as 1,000 years. The parts of this tree used medicinally are the bark and the galls (growths that are produced in reaction to fungi or insects). The genus name Quercus is from a Celtic word "quer", meaning "fine", and "cuea", or "tree". The Oak tree was sacred to the Druids, and has long been a symbol of fertility and immortality. In the past, European and American women wanting to get pregnant would carry an acorn as a talisman. In Nordic mythology, the Oak was associated with thunder gods as Oak groves seem to attract much lightning. To the Romans, the Oak symbolized bravery, and military heroes were often crowned with a wreath of Oak leaves. Oak is used as a Bach Flower Remedy to treat despair and despondency. Oak trees also bear acorns, which were a staple in the Native American diet. They were sometimes leached, dried and ground into flour. The Indians often gathered the acorns and stored them to ensure a continual winter food supply. White Oak Bark was also used by Native American cultures for hundreds of years as a medicine to treat wounds and intestinal problems. Its valuable, sturdy timber has led to many forests being cut down. The trees are valued in the making of cabinets, tables and other furniture. It has also been used to tan leather. The primary chemical constituents of Oak Bark include tannins (phlobatannin, ellagitannins, gallic acid), and quercetin. Galls are even higher in tannins than the bark. White Oak also contains the minerals manganese, calcium, iron, and zinc. The high tannin content is responsible for a wide range of its activity. Tannins bind with protein of the tissues, thus making them impermeable to bacterial invasion and infection, while at the same time strengthening the tissues. White Oak Bark is one of the strongest natural astringent herbs available. It provides not only great astringent properties, but anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties as well. White Oak Bark's astringent properties tighten tissues and strengthen blood vessels, making it ideal for treating diarrhea, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. The blood-clotting agents active in Oak Bark are also helpful to cease nosebleeds. White Oak Bark has also been used to treat irritations caused by poor digestion, ulcers, strep throat and skin problems. The common name Oak includes the species Quercus alba (White Oak), Quercus robur (English Oak, Common Oak), Quercus virens (Green Oak), Quercus petraea, Quercus rubra (Red Oak) and Quercus tinctoria (Black Oak) all of which are used interchangeably with Quercus alba.
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/hfrr/hnewslet/2003/ksht0340.htmOak species can be split into two groups: the white oaks and the red oaks. The white oaks usually have acorn meats with a lower tannin content than the red oaks and, therefore, are sweeter. Individual oak trees can usually be placed in one of these two groups by looking at specific characteristics. White oaks tend to have leaves with rounded lobes rather than the bristly points normally found with red oaks. Also, red oaks typically have deeply ridged, dark-colored bark as opposed to the grayish-brown, scaly bark of white oaks. Examples of white oaks include Bur Oak, White Oak, English Oak and Post Oak. Red oaks include Pin Oak, Red Oak, Black Oak, Chinquapin Oak and Shumard's Oak.
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-19-2004-54342.aspThere are over 600 varieties of Oaks, ranging over a vast geographical area
Some of the different oak species are – Gobbler Sawtooth Oak, Bur Oak, Northern Red Oak, Willow Oak, Pin Oak, White Oak, Quercus Macracarpa Oak, Quercus Accutissima Oak, Himalayan Oak, Pedunculate Oak. All of these are members of the Beech Family and scientifically known as 'Quercus' or 'Lithocarpus', and are deciduous trees; which means all of their broad, irregular-shaped leaves are shed seasonally. The trees, which require a moderate water supply and can live over 200 years, are tall, with a thick, sturdy trunk and a distinctive, majestic shape – a wide, gracefully domed crown of outward spreading branches. New leaves appear in the spring and afterwards the male and female catkins. The former are pendulous and bear stalkless bunches of flowers; the latter are erect and bear solitary flowers on the ends of the new shoots. Red leaves appear in the summer. Acorn-production usually begins in a 20-yr old tree, and continues yearly after that, the crop varying in quantity according to various factors – climate, rainfall, soil condition, pests, and so on.
The Acorns attract Squirrels, Blue Jays, Wood-peckers, Deer, Wild Turkey and a variety of creatures to the Oak Tree. If the acorns aren't eaten outright, they are stored to provide sustenance in the approaching winter. The rest of the crop scatters at the foot of the tree and is covered by layers of falling leaves
http://www.paganforums.org/showthread.php?t=9614OAK
The oak tree is a tree with many ancient mythological and magickal associations. In the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca, the oak symbolizes the waxing year aspects of the Horned God. It was regarded as the "oracle tree" by the Greek philosopher Socrates, and as the most sacred of trees by the ancient Celtic Druids, who belived that the leaves possessed great supernatural powers to heal and renew strength. Acorns (the "fruit' of the oak tree) were eaten by the Druids in preparation for prophesying.
The ancient Romans also believed in the wonderous power of the oak tree, and to protect themselves against the forces of evil, they wore wreaths made from oak leaves around thier heads as protective crowns.
Human sacrifices were made to the Phoenician god Baal "under every leafy oak" (Ezekial 6:13), and in Estonia, the blood of slaughtered animals was poured on oak roots as a libation to the gods.
The oak is the traditional and essential wood used for Yule logs and Midsummer Night bonfires. Oak branches are used in Wiccan spells to attract good luck, and the bark from the tree is made into magickal incenses to honor the gods and goddesses to whom the oak tree is sacred. And in folk medicine, oak tea has been used to treat such ailments as pinworms, gallstones, loose teeth, and venereal disease.
http://www.controverscial.com/Oak.htm (good site - only a small part is shown below...there is more)
Folklore and Myths:
Since time began the oak was revered by many cultures, the Greeks held it sacred, the Romans dedicated it to Jupiter, and the Druids venerated it. The Greek historian Herodotus (often called the “father of history” 484? - 425? BC.) reported that the sacred oak grove at Dodona had the greatest reputation for the gifts of prophecy. Situated at the foot of Mt. Tomarus, Dodona was the oldest and most hallowed sanctuary in Greece. An ancient legend tells of two black doves that flew from the Egyptian city of Thebes, one flew to the Libyan Ammon and the other flew to Dodona. Each alighted on an oak tree and so began the oracular oak cults dedicated to the Gods and Goddesses. The cult at Dodona was dedicated to the goddess Dione (Diana) but was later seized by Zeus who claimed it for his own, though he retained the services of her priestesses to read his oracles. This they did listening to the cooing of black doves, the rustle of the oaks leaves in the wind, or the clanging of vessels hung in the trees branches to produce sound. They claimed that within the sounds could be heard the voice of Zeus.
http://www.angelfire.com/nv/faefull/faeinfo2.html (fairies)
nut tree fairies the Dryads, oak tree fairies the Luantishees
FOXGLOVE: In British folklore ancient, hollow trees (called bull oaks in England, bell oaks in Scotland and Ireland) are trees that stood in old sacred groves. They were often believed to be the home of spirits, elves, fairies or demons. You were supposed to turn your coat or cloak inside-out to neutralize their magic:~§~Turn your clokes for fairy folks are in old oakes~§~
http://www.rain.org/global-garden/humanities/plant-lore-faries.htmlMUSHROOMS and TOADSTOOLS - FAIRY CIRCLES
OAK
In British folklore ancient, hollow trees (called bull oaks in England, bell oaks in Scotland and Ireland) are trees that stood in old sacred groves. They were often believed to be the home of spirits, elves, fairies or demons. You were supposed to turn your coat or cloak inside-out to neutralize their magic: "Turn your clokes For fairy folks Are in old oakes."
http://www.loggia.com/myth/dryads.html (dryads)
Dryads and Hamadryads in Greek Mythology
Dryads and hamadryads are two types of wood nymphs in Greek mythology. These female nature spirits were thought to inhabit trees and forests, and they were especially fond of oak trees. Dryads were often depicted in myth and art accompanied - or being pursued by - their male counterparts, the satyrs.
http://www.widdershins.org/vol9iss1/04.htmIt is life we are concerned with at Beltaine--returning life, new life, healing life, abundant life. As we walk around our Northwest home this spring, many trees are in glorious bloom, and the scent of renewal is strong in the air. The fertile ground beneath us is teeming with life. The Oak King still rules over Beltaine, as the year continues to wax toward midsummer, and sprigs from the Goddess's hawthorn may be harvested only on May Eve for her festival the following day.
