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The Ash The ash is a native Irish tree. It grows to a height of 80 feet with a life-span of 200 years. It likes a moist, cool atmosphere with plenty of room to spread itself. The ash flowers in April or May. The ash is easily recognisable for its bunches of "keys" that contain the seed and they are carried away by the wind when they are ripe. Ash timber is used for making hurleys. A good age for an ash suitable for hurleys (camáin) is 15 years. Ash timber is tough, light, strong and springy.
The Sycamore
The sycamore is a native of Europe and has been in Ireland for about 200 years. It will grow in most kinds of soil, though fertile, limey soils suit it best, and it will stand up well to strong winds and sea air. The sycamore reaches a height of sixty to eighty feet very quickly so that it is fully grown when only fifty to sixty years old, though it can live from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty years. The sycamore belongs to the maple family and the sap contains sugar. Its bark is smooth but becomes rough as the tree grows bigger. Flowers appear on the sycamore when it is twenty or thirty years old. They open in May after the leaves have appeared. The sycamore is well-known for its winged seeds which spin as they fall. If they are planted they will germinate the following spring.
The Yarrow
Yarrow is a common plant. It has small flat clusters of daisy-like flower heads. The flower attracts insects like beetles and butterflies. Long ago people used yarrow as a medicine for sore joints - rheumatism and arthritis.
The Wild Rose
The wild rose is a very familiar wild flower. It is found in hedgerows and along the banks of the canal. It has beautiful pink flowers. In the autumn, red berries or hips appear. Delicious tea is made from rosehips. They are rich in vitamins. Animals do not eat them because they are furry inside.
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