Native trees / Small trees / Elder
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
This common tree of hedgerows, woods, chalk downs and waste ground, elder was once regarded as one of the most magically powerful of all plants.
Plant a garden tree for the Jubilee - and be part of the Woodland Trust's Jubilee Woods Project to plant 6 million new trees to celebrate
Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
Make sure your new tree is part of the official Record of Jubilee Trees -
Record it at jubileewoods.org.uk
| Latin name | Sambucus nigra |
|---|---|
| Family name | Honeysuckle |
| Latin family name | Caprifoliaceae |
| What type of tree is it? | Native Deciduous |
| Average height | Up to 10m |
| Preferred soil type or environmental conditions? | Found everywhere except on sands. Prefers rich fertilised soils |
| Tree lore and folklore | If you burned elder wood you see the devil, but if you grew an elder tree beside your house it was said to keep the devil at bay. It could apparently charm away warts and vermin. Bunches of elder leaves were hung up in cowsheds or dairies to ward off flies. Children used the hollowed-out stems as pea-shooters |
You will receive a cell grown sapling, ranging from 20cm-40cm in height
More information available at www.British-Trees.com
