A witch's broom is commonly known as a broomstick or a flying broomstick. It is a magical tool that is often associated with witchcraft and is believed to be used by witches for transportation and flying. The concept of a witch riding a broomstick dates back to ancient folklore and mythology, where it was believed that witches could fly through the air on their broomsticks to attend meetings and gatherings. The traditional image of a witch's broomstick is that of a plain wooden stick with bristles attached to one end, resembling a regular household broom. However, in magical lore, this broomstick is said to possess special powers that enable it to levitate, fly through the sky, and carry the witch who rides it. The origins of the association between broomsticks and witches are not entirely clear, but they likely stem from a combination of historical events and cultural beliefs.
Updated March 23, 2020
Witches broom can occur for several months to several years, and while it may be unsightly to some people, it really poses no serious threat to the tree or shrub affected. The earliest named miniature conifer was the bee-hive shaped Picea abies Clanbrassiliana , a dwarf form of Norway spruce, first found around 1780 on the Moira Estate near Belfast.
The origins of the association between broomsticks and witches are not entirely clear, but they likely stem from a combination of historical events and cultural beliefs. In medieval Europe, it was believed that witches could travel to their gatherings by using various means, including riding on broomsticks or other objects. This belief was grounded in the idea that witches could perform magical spells and rituals, which gave them the ability to transform ordinary objects into magical tools for transportation.
Florida 4-H Forest Ecology
A witch's broom is an unusually dense and compact cluster of twigs and foliage formed on a woody plant. The mass of shoots comes from a common point, giving the growth a broom-like appearance. The witch's broom may last several years. Although witches' brooms might be considered unsightly, they seldom result in serious injury to the tree.
Witches' brooms can be caused by various sources including mites, viruses, fungi, mistletoes, insects, and nematodes. Knowing the type of host plant can help determine the cause of the witch's broom. Witches' brooms can also be caused by a genetic mutation in a plant. These "mutant brooms" are particularly important commercially because their new genetic makeup can lead to new plant cultivars.
One of the most famous broom hunters was Dr. Sidney Waxman, a horticulturist at the University of Connecticut. His 2005 obituary in the New York Times described his work this way:
"As America oozed into tract housing after World War II, there was a demand for trees and shrubs that would fit in the small yards and not grow very much. Over 40 years, Dr. Waxman came up with 40 cultivars, as cultivated plant varieties are known, including the widely planted dwarf pines called Sea Urchin, Blue Shag and Sand Castle.
Todd Forrest, associate vice president for horticulture and living collections at the New York Botanical Garden, said Dr. Waxman's importance had transcended the popular plants he developed. Mr. Forrest said Dr. Waxman had 'systematically established' the method of getting seeds from witches' brooms, which often appear as large, tangled clumps of branches, sometimes with miniature leaves, on full-size trees.
Some of the clumps are caused by disease, but some are sports, or natural mutations, with desirable new genetic characteristics that are worth preserving and cultivating. Dr. Waxman was amused to note how many witches' brooms he found in cemeteries.
Dr. Waxman methodically stalked his prey, marking on a map of New England the witches' brooms he found particularly tantalizing, his wife said. Each year, usually in October, he would visit them. He sometimes used a .22-caliber rifle to shoot cones from high branches, assigning his wife to scramble through groundcover to find the cones.
She remembered the startled looks of passing drivers. 'What are those two nuts doing?' she imagined them saying."
- "Sidney Waxman, Innovator of Dwarf Pines, Dies at 81," New York Times, February 20, 2005
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Witches’ broom can occur for several months to several years, and while it may be unsightly to some people, it really poses no serious threat to the tree or shrub affected. There is currently no cure or treatment for witches’ broom. You can, however, prune out the broom growth several inches (7.5 cm.) below the point of its formation, if desired.
In modern times, the concept of a witch's broomstick has become a popular symbol in literature, movies, and popular culture. It is often depicted as an essential tool for witches, enabling them to travel quickly and discreetly. The idea of a witch flying on a broomstick has been romanticized and portrayed in various ways, ranging from comical depictions in children's stories to more sinister portrayals in horror films. Overall, a witch's broomstick is a significant symbol in witchcraft and folklore, representing the magical abilities and transformative powers associated with witches. While it may just be an ordinary household item in the physical world, in the realm of magic and imagination, it is a powerful tool that allows witches to soar through the skies and reach places inaccessible to mortals..
Reviews for "The Witch's Flight: Exploring the Official Name for a Broomstick"
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