Donal Hickey: Early berries a sign of a harsh winter ahead?
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An elderly farmer of our acquaintance, many years ago, regarded himself as an expert weather forecaster. He had little time, however, for the science of meteorology, preferring instead signs from nature.
He always kept a lookout for the first red berries, loved by thrushes, on holly trees. If they appeared earlier than usual, it was a sign of a harsh winter ahead, he would warn.
This year, I saw red holly berries more than two months ago.
Always good at debunking myths, however, practical experts tell us early berries are the result of warm, or moist, weather — nothing to do with predicting the elements.
Another obvious reason for their appearance might be that weather, overall, is getting milder, with favourable growing conditions now virtually year-round.
Birds are currently feasting on a variety of berries, such as elderberries which ripen in late summer, and are eaten soon after.
All berries we see in winter have grown in the autumn. Some will last longer than others, making it as far as February in some cases. It all depends on the species and how popular the berries are with the wildlife that depends on them.
Winter, too, brings its own wonders.
As with all things in nature, mystery blends marvellously with the explainable: studies have shown that birds carefully choose the order they eat berries, ensuring they have food available for as long as possible in winter. Also, certain fruits grow in succession to match movements in the bird population.
First, they eat the non-toxic berries with fairly short shelf-lives, such as blackberries. Berries with longer retention periods, or with a mild toxicity, such as ivy, are left untouched until other food sources are scarce. This helps ensure a supply of berries through winter.
Holly, meanwhile, has a special place in Ireland and not just because its greenery decorates many homes at Christmas. It is also traditionally regarded as one of our sacred trees, often found at holy wells and mass rocks.
Catherine Keena, countryside management specialist with Teagasc, says holly is a good option for growing around houses instead of planting non-native hedging. Because of its tolerance of clipping, it is an excellent hedging plant. While it coppices well, there is seldom any need to coppice as holly tends to fill out at the base.
“Holly is very hardy, resilient and long-lived. It is like a green wall when mature, forming a tough, evergreen stock-proof barrier, impenetrable by cattle," says Ms Keena.
Tradition says it is unlucky to cut down a holly tree, while folklore also warns against eating blackberries after Halloween, as the fairies will have spat on them!