maidonpuun

Maidonpuun is a legendary tree found in Finnish folklore and regional storytelling, reputed to yield a milk-like sap that can be collected to nourish people and livestock. Traditional accounts describe maidonpuun as a tall tree with pale bark and a steady flow of white sap that remains clean and sweet when exposed to air.

The name maidonpuun comes from Finnish maito, milk, and puu, tree. The form maidonpuun is the genitive commonly used in folkloric references to the tree, for example in phrases naming its leaves or its sap.

In lore the tree grows in remote northern forests or damp clearings near old wells and ruins. It is elusive and reportedly appears to travelers or communities during times of scarcity, offering its sap to be collected with care rather than taken by force.

Across communities, maidonpuun is a symbol of nourishment, generosity, and communal support. It appears in lullabies, songs, and children's tales, and has been adopted in contemporary fantasy literature and games as a magical resource or quest element.

Scholars note that maidonpuun has no basis in botanical science; there is no evidence for a real tree matching its description. As a cultural construct, it serves as a metaphor for abundance and mutual aid within Finnish folklore and adjacent traditions.

See also: mythical trees in folklore, milk-related myths.