Irish Folklore about a ring of mushrooms near a tree?

Question

Okay, I know it sounds crazy but my insane old lady neighbor across the street discovered a circle of mushrooms next to a tree in her yard and somehow she got on the internet and aparently it means that the tree is dead and it's also evil and that the mushrooms are there to protect her from the evil. Now a little backstory, my Grandpa ran a tree service for years and we treated this tree about 10 years ago, I was only like 12 but I remember helping so it was sick then, the tree has been dying/dead for years so it doesnt take a circle of mushrooms to tell you that. She also accused another neighbor of stealing some of the mushrooms last night. Now I'm a really open minded person, I've spent many nights searching for haunted houses, trees and other things so I'm really curious, is this folklore true and there is an evil, dead tree right across the street??? Or is my neighbor just a senile old lady who shouldn't be allowed on the internet??? If you have no clue, here's 2 points!

babygurl your links are both the same!

nevermind babygurl, my computer's fault

Answer 1

A fairy ring, also known as a pixie ring, is a naturally occurring ring or arc of mushrooms. The rings may grow over ten meters in diameter and become stable over time as the fungus grows and seeks food underground. Even if no mushrooms are present, the underground presence of the fungus may sometimes be detected by observing the withering or varying colour or growth of grass directly above.

Fungi spread their spores in a circular fashion. Since multiple spores from separate fungi overlap in the inner part, fallow soil is only to be found away from the center of the "circle". This is how fairy rings "grow".

Although the edible Marasmius oreades is best known as the "fairy ring mushroom", other species of fungus, some of which are poisonous to humans, may also form arcs or rings. This mushroom is also called Scotch bonnet.

In English folklore, fairy rings were said to be caused by fairies or pixies dancing in a circle, wearing down the grass beneath their feet. Toads would then sit on the basidia, poisoning them, hence the name toadstool.

In Scandinavian folklore, these circles were attributed to the elves and were called älvdanser, i.e. elf dances.

In German-speaking Europe, fairy rings are known as Hexenringe, or "witches rings", stemming from an old mediaeval belief that the rings represented places where witches would have their gatherings.

Another myth states that fairy rings are doors into the fairies world, transporting people to other places, or make people appear in the same place in a different time.

Answer 2

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RE:
Irish Folklore about a ring of mushrooms near a tree?
Okay, I know it sounds crazy but my insane old lady neighbor across the street discovered a circle of mushrooms next to a tree in her yard and somehow she got on the internet and aparently it means that the tree is dead and it's also evil and that the mushrooms are there to protect her from the...

Answer 3

Nothing to do with evil. Tell the dear lassie it means the faeries were dancing there.

If you see a faery ring,

In a field of grass,

Very lightly step around,

Tip-toe as you pass,

Last night faeries frolicked there,

And they're sleeping somewhere near.

If you see a tiny faery,

Lying fast asleep,

Shut your eyes,

And run away,

Do not stay to peek!

Do not tell,

Or you'll break a faery spell.

Answer 4

also in irish folklore a circle of mushrooms is a sign that fearies gather there. it could well be a protection, but i really do not think that the tree is evil, possibly something evil useing the tree as a home...

also most pre-christian irish folklire does not believe in evil, it is either positive or negative depending on your point of view.

Answer 5

Fairy Ring Folklore

Answer 6

Fear no more, I shall take care of the evil in the tree, but don't disturb the ring of mushrooms or evil will return, so says the Boogerman

Answer 7

From my understanding a ring of mushrooms is called a Fairy Circle thus attracting Fairy folk.

Answer 8

Faerie Ring!

Answer 9

I always heard that they were called fairy-ring. I dont know about what it means to a tree, but I have heard that when you find those they are really potent psychadellic shrooms. I would love to find out! What kind of tree was it?

Answer 10

i have never heard that before. but i do have a ring of mushrooms growning right beside a pine tree in my yard that is still alive. it is tilted now because of ernesto, but the tree is not dead.