Viburnum opulus (Guelder Rose,)

[BILLy]

Hi all,
Whilst out this evening in the bright sun on a hunt, I came across this beautiful looking tree with bright red fruits on, I did not take a picture of it, but looked it up when I got home, absolute stunning tree set in amongst silver birch, beach amongst others but did not know what it was, it was heavily laden with bright red berries. At first I thought it was some kind of Maple but its not. Anyone had any dealings with such a tree? Are they for aesthetics only?
Thanks
Bill

 

[British Red]

Guelder Rose - looks absolutely gorgeous. The fruit are edible. About as palatable as a phelgm flavoured ice lolly. But edible.

In the words of Mick Dundee....tastes like sh**...but you can live on it

Red

 

[Toddy]

Aw BR, it's not that bad, but then I like fresh Rowans

Seriously though; I have just 'stickied' a thread that Xylaria posted a few years ago about poisonous plants in the UK.
At this time of year the topic comes up time after time and it seemed a good idea to put the relevant information in one place.
The thread is this one
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24991

cheers,
Toddy

p.s. Guelder Rose, edible but much safer cooked like redcurrants.

 

[Harvestman]

I added to Guelder Rose to this year's hedgerow jam, and it worked out very well, but I wouldn't recommend it on its own, or in large quantities.