Elder

The elder bushes are full of berries this time of the year for birds to gorge on and people to pick for elderberry wine.

The bark of the tree is corky,  fissured and internally has a soft white pith.  The large dark green leaves are opposite and pinnate. In the spring and early summer the flowers are small, umbel-like, creamy-white cluster and are fragrant. But it is the fruit this time of the year that stands out: a juicy purple and black berry.

The name elder is probably derived from the Anglo-Saxon "aeld" or "ellarn" meaning fire or kindle. The hollow stems were used for blowing fires to re-kindle them or get the fire started.  Hence its former names were pipe tree and bore tree.

The generic name "Sambucus" is probably derived from "sambuca", a kind of harp made from elder. Of course, the specific name "nigra"is Latin for black referring to its black berries.

In the past, the wood of elder was used for butchers skewers, needles for weaving and shoemakers pegs. Today, the berries and flowers are used for making wine and cordials.