Elder?

[THOaken]

Hello. I'm wondering if this is Elder. I would like to make an Elder whistle and it looks like this may be it, if my research is correct. Serrated/toothed leaf margins (opposite), bark is grey-brown with corks and longitudinal furrows.

Thank you.

 

[outdoorpaddy]

Looks like Elder (Sambucus nigra) to me! good spot. One good way of recognising it is by the smell of the sap, its difficult to describe but its very distinctive and you'll be able to pick it out anywhere. Also if you can find a nice straight branch as thick as your finger and about half a meter long you might want to nab and let it season incase you ever want to try the hand drill.

paddy

 

[Chiseller]

Elder it is......
For health reasons , don't play the whistle endlessly.....

When seasoned it make very very hard pegs .
Don't forget to ask the tree if you may cut it. Elder is a tree is considered a very spiritual tree and some may say it brings bad harmony to burn elder......
Enjoy your whistle

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[dwardo]

Elder is always first to leaf round these parts.

 

[THOaken]

Thanks, everyone, for the confirmation.

Yes, I've read about the toxins in Elder, but I won't be using it too much. It's just a fun side project.

If I cut a small finger sized piece it will grow back, or heal over?

 

[Stringmaker]

Elder regenerates very well; just do the usual thing and cut close to the parent stem/branch/trunk to leave it tidy.

"Old girl, give me some of thy wood and I will give thee some of mine when I grow into a tree."

 

[Joonsy]

elder makes very good tent/tarp pegs as well, very easy to split and very hard when seasoned, lighter than steel pegs but not titanium and hold better than metal pegs in ground.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Elder it is......
For health reasons , don't play the whistle endlessly.....

When seasoned it make very very hard pegs .
Don't forget to ask the tree if you may cut it. Elder is a tree is considered a very spiritual tree and some may say it brings bad harmony to burn elder......
Enjoy your whistle

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

the smoke from elder is definitely acrid and choking.
wonder if that had anythin to do with the view it was bad luck to burn?


*not arguing against asking permission first just wondering out loud as it were*

 

[redneck]

I was always taught to refer to her as 'old mother elder' when asking for berries or flowers, but never under any circumstance where you to cut her wood.

 

[boney gumbo mcgee]

I used some elder to make a blow pipe for my tent stove, it works a treat and it was free. I used some strong galvanised fencing wire to de pith the stem.

 

[Joonsy]

I used some elder to make a blow pipe for my tent stove, it works a treat and it was free. I used some strong galvanised fencing wire to de pith the stem.

i often just pick up a bit of himalayan balsam when around for same purpose, won't last long though which means you have to pick more of the stuff on the go which is great news as it's much too widespread nowadays and needs reducing, it chokes riverbanks completely nowadays.

 

[crosslandkelly]

i often just pick up a bit of himalayan balsam when around for same purpose, won't last long though which means you have to pick more of the stuff on the go which is great news as it's much too widespread nowadays and needs reducing, it chokes riverbanks completely nowadays.

Nice tip, I'll remember that when I'm at the moot this year, it's full of the stuff.

 

[Chiseller]

*not arguing against asking permission first just wondering out loud as it were*

It's a spiritual thing Sam , call me heathen .....


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[Man of Tanith]

mate I'm all for spiritual outlooks and have my own viewpoints that I'll discuss over a dram around the fire anytime you find yourself in my neck o the woods

however a lot of outlooks were also influenced by practical reasons too



*its well off topic and not within policy to discuss spiritual views on here*

 

[dwardo]

elder makes very good tent/tarp pegs as well, very easy to split and very hard when seasoned, lighter than steel pegs but not titanium and hold better than metal pegs in ground.

Great idea for a nice set of pegs for the bell tent thanks. Elder is incredibly strong and light when seasoned. Also seasons easily with less checking than other woods.
Elder can also make a good tobacco pipe. No idea where the toxicity thing stands there but I imagine most of it to be in then sap, bark and leaves like most.
Also makes an excellent bow so I hear, never had the right piece my self due to its natural shape.

 

[boney gumbo mcgee]

i often just pick up a bit of himalayan balsam when around for same purpose, won't last long though which means you have to pick more of the stuff on the go which is great news as it's much too widespread nowadays and needs reducing, it chokes riverbanks completely nowadays.

Thanks for the tip. we certainly have an abundance of it locally. I live near Flitton Moor which is choked up with the stuff despite the sterling efforts of the volunteer clearance team.

 

[Melonfish]

Elder is a cracking wood, great for allsorts of whistles, flutes and even for jokes about taking the pith when you're out with company.
it's dad joke territory defo but you know..