northeast Scotland, who believed it to be a "witches tree". The tree was used medicinally during the Middle Ages, during which period it was also believed that the bark of the tree, placed at the door, would ward off plague. Culture In Finland and Sweden, the blooming of bird cherry (Finnish tuomi, Swedish hägg) signifies the start of the summer for many people. In southern Finland, this normally takes place during the two last weeks of May or very early June. Ukrainian song Cheremshyna refers to a blooming of bird cherry. See also Taphrina padi - A Pocket Plum gall that occurs on Bird Cherry References External links Prunus padus - information, genetic conservation units and related resources. European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN) Bird cherries padus Flora of Europe Flora of Norway Flora of Ukraine Medicinal plants Trees of humid continental climate Cherries Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Fruit trees