Changing Leaves - Strip of 3 National Stamps

Various native tree species grow in Ireland, including oak, silver birch, ash, hazel, hawthorn, scots pine, rowan (mountain ash) and willow. They all have important roles to play in our ecosystem and  many of them have been essential to the rural economy and have featured prominently in material culture. Irish folklore is full of stories, beliefs and custom relating to these important florae, which glorify our landscapes and are at the heart of so much rich tradition.

Each native tree has distinctive leaves with unique shapes and textures. With the exception of scots pine – an evergreen with glossy green needles – their leaves gradually change colour and fall as the weather grows colder in the autumn. As winter draws near, the green of chlorophyll surrenders to the yellow of carotene and the pinks and reds of anthocyanin. This happens each year – but the results are never quite the same, because annual changes in climate and rainfall mean that the colour palette is a little different every time. The one thing that never changes is the emotional charge we get from viewing the autumn display.

Our set of treethemed stamps features leaves from three of our most renowned native species: silver birch, rowan (mountain ash) and hawthorn, capturing their characteristic forms and vivid autumn shades.

Product code 2510ST