Google “yule log” and up pops a magnificent chocolate creation crafted by Dame Mary Berry. The true yule log, however, is a specially selected log burnt on a hearth as a Christmas tradition.

The custom probably started with the Druids, who regarded the oak, a slow-burning wood, as sacred, and the tradition passed on to the Celts. Later, children would be sent out into the woods to find a suitable trunk or branch to drag home across the snow and in the family hearth it was kept alight from Christmas Eve to Epiphany: the twelve nights of Christmas.

Sometimes ashes from the yule log would be scattered on the soil to ensure its fertility in the new year. And of course it was a useful fertiliser as it contained potash. At Alaster Anderson we’ve yet to incorporate yule log specifically into our planting plans and garden maintenance, but maybe we’ll think again come January!

The flames of the yule log can take us back much further, and remind us how without heat and light, none of our plants would prosper.

Once they discovered the magic of fire, our ancestors used it to mirror the creative heat of the sun. Fire played an important role at the turnings of the year – at the summer solstice they lit bonfires to honour the sun’s power in making the crops grow, and at the winter solstice, fires encouraged the weakening sun to pick up its strength again.

These rituals were transferred to Christian times, with the winter solstice fire turned into the yule logs and candles of Christmas. The warm flickering light in the long cold nights symbolised the tiny baby born to light up a dark world.

In case you have ever wondered, the word yule comes from the Old Norse word jol meaning to have a good time. People have long known that the best way of getting through the dreary month December is to party, and to have a jolly time.

And the light and warmth of the yule log was essential for dispersing the gloom and depression of winter, like the colourful Christmas decorations of today!

As planting experts, we design, install and maintain gardens all year round - get in touch to see how we can help.

Read about the history of mistletoe here.

You can reach us on 0207 305 7183 or email at enquire@alasteranderson.com