Gielinor's flora - trees

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Oaks are native to the middle kingdoms of Gielinor whose temperate climate prove perfect for this particularly useful species. Everyone from the lowliest peasant to the highest king has some oddment or another made from oak. It is used in the manufacture of ships, furniture, floorings and more. One notable use is in the making of barrels for storing of wine and liquors with the oak adding a particularly unique taste to any vintage. The leaves and acorns of the oak tree are poisonous to most livestock due to naturally occurring toxins. An interesting exception is the domestic pig, which in lean times can be fed entirely on acorns.

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Found across the temperate zones of Gielinor, willow trees can be found near almost any body of water. The willow has a myriad of uses such as baskets, furniture and toys. The willow is also particularly useful in medicine as when chewed, the bark of the tree can treat a myriad of illnesses such as fever and inflammation. An enchanting story revolving around willows, is the tale of the willows which can be found in Great Kourend. Although found across the kingdom, they are in fact not native. A well-known legend amongst the people of Hosidius is the story of Alexander the Poet. Alexanders beautiful writings of all things botanical won the favour of the then Duchess of Lumbridge. She was so smitten by his writings that she requested them sent immediately across the sea as soon as the ink had dried upon the parchment. In return for his writing, Alexander was granted a request and asked for what seemed to all to be a humble gift, that of a single willow twig. The Duchess complied and sent the twig with all haste to Kourend where the learned Alexander planted the twig. Legend has it that all of Kourend's willows are descended from this first one.

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A tropical hardwood tree species that naturally occurs among other jungle trees. Coveted for its durability and water resistance, it is mainly used in boat building, exterior construction, furniture and carving. Another prized feature of teak wood is its resistance to termite damage. A final interesting fact is that teak trees are more closely related to mint than to any other trees on Gielinor.

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A common amber-coloured tree found throughout the world. They produce distinctive seeds called maple keys. These seeds are attached to a flattened wing, made of papery lightweight tissue. As a result of this ingenious adaptation, they spin and catch the wind as they fall, allowing them to travel a considerable distance. Maple is considered a tonewood and produces excellent musical clarity and as such is used in numerous musical instruments.

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A tropical hardwood species producing a straight-grained, reddish timber. Mahogany is relatively free of imperfections and with excellent workability and durability. Because of this, it is prized by high end furniture makers. Mahogany also resists rot, making it attractive in boat cabin construction. Further, being a tonewood means that it is often used for musical instruments, particularly guitars, producing a better tone compared to other commonly used woods, such as maple. The origin of the name is likely a miscommunication of the old Karamjan word m'oganwo.

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A rare evergreen tree prized for its durability. Yew is remarkably elastic, making it the ideal wood for products that require springiness, such as bows. Yews are fairly unique in the plant world in that separate trees can be either male or female. The male yews bloom and release abundant amounts of pollen in the spring which is unusually toxic causing headaches, itching, and skin rashes. Although all parts of the yew are poisonous to some extent, when treated properly the roots can be used as an ingredient when making antidotes to common poisons.

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A rare type of tree that is typically only found naturally in locations of magical power. Magic trees have a sort of parasitic relationship, feeding off magical energy in order to survive. This method of sustaining itself imbues the tree with magical energy, making its wood some of the most prized. Practitioners of the magical arts often encourage the growth of these trees as they can act as a siphon, preventing excess magical energy causing any unwanted issues. Although heavily associated with magic, the most skilled farmers have found success cultivating these trees.

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Exceptionally large conifer trees and in fact the largest and tallest trees in the world. These trees can live thousands of years. Native to the Kingdoms of Great Kourend and Varlamore, these trees are unfortunately close to extinct in the wild due to heavy deforestation caused by both settlers and various conflicts. Thankfully, due to conservation efforts, a small number of redwoods can still be found, particularly in controlled environments.

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Not much is known about these mysterious solemn onlookers. What is certain is thye are heavily entwined in gnome society and act as a useful method of transportation. Anything else that can be said is merely conjecture and only raises more questions. It has been said that it is possible to grow these trees from seeds although incredibly difficult and best supervised by a knowledgeable gnome.