Selfsufficientish.com

Hi can anyone tell me how to identify elderberry :scratch:as I got a small tree in my front yard that the neighbour says is elderberry but I want to be sure that I don't poisen the family by mistake

Very distinctive. Will be covered in a buttery white bloom, elderflower, at the moment. Sure someone will give you a better description but basically very easy to ID.

Oh dear - another Wikipedia entry ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambucus

Seriously, though, it's unmistakeable. The new wood is bright green, turning to a light brown, and is very pithy. The flowers are just about unique (for a tree, that is) and the berries are equally unique (is that possible?).

Once you have a confident identification, you'll never forget it.

Mike

PS - your elders won't be covered in white bloom at the moment, Homegrown. But come late spring and early summer, they certainly will be.

MKG - our elderberry trees are covered in white blooms at the moment??

fran wrote:MKG - our elderberry trees are covered in white blooms at the moment??

Sorry just realised that Homegrown is in New Zealand!

Ah - Durgan has come in with a timely rescue ...

http://www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/ ... 22&t=19823

Don't worry about it, Fran - I've done that SOOOOOOO many times

Mike