Elder

Elder bark provides a habitat in its own right Irish Name - Tromán
Family - Caprifoliaceae

Elder is a small tree growing up to height of 7m (20ft).
This is one of our fastest growing trees in its earliest years, and any bit of its living wood will readily take root.
It is tolerant of cutting, throwing new shoots strongly.

The leaves begin to open during mild spells in winter, beginning in January. Most leaves are fully expanded by April.
The heavily scented white flowers open in June and July.
The black berries ripen in August and September.
Leaves fall from October to November in exposed sites, later where there is shelter.

Elder is found in clearings in woodlands and in scrub, but most frequently in disturbed habitats and waste ground. It is most common on chalky soils and those with a high nitrogen status, occurring frequently around old cattle barns.
Elder is an early coloniser of derelict land.
It is intolerant of a very smoky atmosphere.
Young stems can be killed by very hard frosts, but they are soon replaced from ground level.
Elder is more a tree of the wayside than of the woodland, often of low bushy growth; but where it finds good loamy soil with abundant moisture it will attain a height of 7m (20ft).

There are 19 identified insect species that are associated with elder.
The berries are relished by birds and insects visit the flowers.
The leaves are poisonous and are consequently avoided by rabbits. Cattle also avoid it and its presence is no danger to them.

The pith can easily be extracted from the shoots and the resulting tube is available as a blow-pipe, a pop-gun, or a music pipe. Such uses have been known since ancient times.
The berries can be used for making of elderberry wine, and the flowers for cordial, "champagne" or fritters.

BTCV : CVNI : Tree Nursery : About Trees : Elder