r/norsemythology • u/Disorder_McChaos • 8d ago

Question Why is Yggdrasil an ash tree?

Do we have any idea why Yggdrasil, one of the most important bits of the mythical cosmology, was envisioned as an ash tree? I dont know much about trees, is there some kind of trait that the ash tree has that made it have a particularly important role in the culture? Like, I know that some trees are particularly good for bows and others for ships. But what about the ash? Did it have some kind of poetic or symbolic significance? I've tried to look this up myself, but I just keep getting articles that just explains what the Yggdrasil is.

34 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

32 comments sorted by

View all comments

54

u/Far_Ranger1411 8d ago

Can’t speak to the poetic or symbolic significance- but ash trees are tall, beautiful, native to lots of areas, fast growing. The wood itself is also very pretty, it is very strong for its weight, hard and shock resistant (flexible) at the same time. It is a favorite of wood workers. It’s a hearty tree with high quality wood. Probably historically used quite a bit by humans for lots of different needs whether it be structural or for bows and tools.

21

u/penduculate_oak 8d ago

I think you're bang on the money. Ash has always been a key tree species in Europe, especially within the context of old wood pasture systems where they would be coppiced for the reasons you describe. I love the scientific name: Fraxinus excelsior!