The Coin-Laden Trees: A Unique Spectacle in Wales

Money doesn't grow on trees, they say, except perhaps in the ever-eccentric Portmeirion. However, it certainly appears to do so on the mysterious coin-studded trunks scattered around the woodlands of the United Kingdom.

The peculiar phenomenon of gnarled old trees adorned with coins embedded in their bark has been observed on trails from the Peak District to the Scottish Highlands. These captivating spectacles often feature coins from centuries ago deeply embedded in the bark, shaped by the passage of time. While the tradition of making offerings to deities at wishing trees dates back hundreds of years, this combination of the man-made and the natural is far more rare.

In the past, it was believed that divine spirits inhabited trees, and these trees were often adorned with sweets and gifts, a practice that continues today during Christmas. This act is reminiscent of tossing money into ponds for good luck or the contemporary trend of couples attaching 'love padlocks' to bridges and fences to symbolize lasting romance.

In the picturesque village of Portmeirion in Wales, seven felled tree trunks bear witness to this unique phenomenon, with coins pushed into them. The historical value of these coins likely exceeds their face values by a hundredfold, not to mention their collectors' value, curses notwithstanding.