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The elder is a tree that has more than 150 different varieties spread all around the world, from Europe to America through Asia.
It is a tree that offers berries of beautiful colors and very fragrant flowers. The elderberry can also be used to make many recipes such as wine, liqueurs or jams.
You will find all the information you need to help you understand and use black elderberry wood. We have compiled the characteristics, specifications and information of this multipurpose tree.
Characteristic | Description | |
---|---|---|
Common name | Black elder or common elder | |
Scientific name | Sambucus nigra | |
Type | Shrub of the Caprifoliaceae family | |
Color of the leaves | Leaves of dark green color and matt. They are slightly serrated and hairy. | |
Fruit color | Black elderberry has black berries. But depending on the variety of elderberry, the berries can be red or blue. | |
Wood color | Elderwood varies in color from yellow to reddish brown. | |
Height | Between 3 and 5 meters high. Some go up to 10 meters high. | |
Trunk | The trunk of the elder has a smooth, green bark when the tree is young. Then, with age, the bark becomes brown and scaly. | |
Growth | Fast. Elderberry can reach its adult size in a few years. | |
Fruit | In summer, starting in July, green berries are formed and ripen between the end of August and the end of September. | |
Flowering period | The elderberry blooms throughout the month of June. Its flowers are very fragrant and perfect for making jelly or wine. | |
Availability of Elderwood | ★★★★★ | |
Price of elderberry wood | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Take a closer look at the characteristics and uses of elderberry, as well as its health benefits and advantages as a craft and decorative material.
Elderberries are found in many parts of the world, especially in temperate regions such as :
It is a shrub that grows without any worries, whether in the woods, hedges or roofs of houses.
The elder has many varieties, some are shrubs or perennials. There are currently more than 150 varieties of elderberry and each of these varieties has its own.
Sambucus racemosa
Europe, Asia Minor, North China and North America
forests, woods, rocky terrain and at altitude
Shrub measuring between 2 and 4 meters
In spring, from April to May
Yellow and not very fragrant, in clusters of 6cm in diameter
Red berries that grow in clusters
The berries are cooked to make jelly or brandy
Sambucus ebulus
Europe, Western Asia, North Africa and it is common in a large part of France
Plant measuring between 70cm and 1,30m
Tardive : de juillet à septembre
White with red tips, in clusters of 12cm in diameter
Black berries of 7mm with a bitter taste
The inedible berries, even cooked, are vomiting and laxative
Sambucus racemosa
North American species found in Canada, the United States and Mexico
rivers, streams, ditches
Shrub measuring between 1 and 4 meters
In spring, from May to June
White and very fragrant, in clusters of 40cm in diameter
Purple berries that grow in clusters
The berries are edible cooked and have medicinal properties
Elderberry flowers grow in clusters and are very numerous. They are of yellowish white color and extremely perfumed. A flower measures only a few centimeters but a cluster of flowers can reach up to 25 centimeters in diameter.
The scent of elderflowers is very similar to that of the lychee with some citrus notes. Elder flowers are harvested in May-June and preferably in the morning so that they keep their smell. They are commonly used to make syrup, lemonade or jelly.
The fruit of the elderberry is a berry, most often black or bright red in color. Blue berries can also be found in exotic elderberry species. This berry is small, it measures between 5 and 6 millimeters.
For the black elderberry, its berries are green when they grow and then change color to purplish red and finally black when ripe. Generally, the berries are ripe in early fall. The taste is similar to blueberries with some raspberry notes. The taste of the berries can vary depending on the season and the weather. Once harvested, the berries are used to make syrups, jellies, drinks or jams.
The elder is a shrub that has an average height of 4 meters and grows in clumps. It is also a tree that lives in any type of soil and spreads very quickly.
Thanks to the way it grows and multiplies quickly and easily, it is a perfect shelter for all types of animals.
The elder has a dense foliage and many branches, it is an ideal support for the nests of birds like blackbirds, gills or warblers. Moreover, these birds love elderberries and promote the dispersion of seeds and thus the multiplication of the trees.
The elderberry is a plant that shelters many species of insects such as :
The elder is a very beautiful shrub but also very good! It can be used for a variety of recipes, sweet, salty or alcoholic. We will use either the leaves or the berries of the shrub. One can then make :
The only thing to remember is that you have to cook the black elderberries before tasting them, otherwise they make you sick.
For health and well-being, all parts of the elderberry are used:
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