Elder

In the hedges the little tiny frothy white flowers of the Elder are decorated with a promise of juicy black elderberries later in autumn.  Since ancient times it has been used for culinary purposes, making little tools and in herbal medicine and today research corroborates its reputation as a flu remedy from a constituent in the berries.
According to folklore, witches and fairies have strong links to the Elder tree and trees were planted by houses to protect them from lightning and evil spirits.  Witches supposedly had wands made of elder and people used charms and amulets made from elder wood to protect themselves. 
Sitting under, or more riskily sleeping under, an Elder at midsummer was said to enable one to see the faeries or even see them going to their midsummer feast. The danger was being transported into the Underworld and not being able to escape. Elder is certainly associated with a spirit being, or Queen who is a guardian of the Underworld, where faeries and spirits of the dead reside. Elder is often planted in graveyards and crosses of elder used to be placed on new graves, presumably to help the spirits cross over.
I am very unlikely this midsummer to sit under the neighbour’s Elder tree. Instead I could possibly enjoy an elderflower cordial or elderberry wine.