Abstract

The Department of Health, under the auspices of the Government of the United Kingdom, has recently been encouraging hospital management boards to plant trees for the benefit of patients and staff. Although there is little scientific evidence to support such an edict, there are thousands of years of mythical and folkloric evidence to support such an initiative. This evidence is briefly reviewed, paying particular attention to the supposed powers often ascribed to oak, rowan, yew, hawthorn, ash and beech trees. Recommendations for arboreal tree planting schemes in hospitals are made based on this evidence.