Elder Tree Facts and Information

  • Latin name: Sambucus nigra
  • Native words: Old Irish (tromm), Scots Gaelic (troman), Old English (ellern), Welsh (bedwen), eastern Celtic ()
  • Ogham sign: R
  • Height when mature: 9m / 30ft
  • Height after 10 years: 3m / 10ft

Ripe Elder Berries

Elder Tree Botanical Description

Growing more like a shrub than a tree, Elder Trees produce a multi-stemmed trunk and are usually found growing as an understory tree in mature woods.

The heavily scented, white elderflowers appear in June and July, covering the branches with sweet fragrance that travels long distances.

The leaves are pinnate, meaning several opposed leaflets are attached to a central rib (similar to Ash and Rowan).

The black fruit, known as elderberries, develop in August and hang in thick bunches. Bite into them to find tiny seeds inside! Berries grow on red stalks.

The bark is thick and pithy with a corrugated, yellowy-green appearance. Branches often break off, giving the tree a rather untidy look.

Elder Natural History and Ancient Wisdom

Elderflowers have long been collected to flavour drinks like elderflower cordial. Elderberry wine is made from the fermented berries, and whole farms are still devoted to elder cultivation.

Historically, elder leaves were used to repel insects — hung over horses or brewed into a natural insecticide.

Elder has a strong folklore connection with fairies and witchcraft. In Ireland, it was believed to be haunted by fairies.

At Samhain in Irish legend, Finn Mac Cool is lured to the “house of treachery,” Tir Na n’Og, a symbol of the Underworld. There, a giant throws an elder log on the fire, summoning a three-headed witch who torments Finn — a reminder of elder’s dark mythical symbolism.

In English folklore, “Old Gal” was a witch said to guard elder trees; one had to ask permission to cut an elder branch.

Elder Tree Sapling

Elder Place Names

It's often difficult to distinguish place names derived from "ellern" (elder) versus "alor" (alder), but some possibilities include:

  • Eldersfield (Worcestershire)
  • Elford (Northumberland) – “elder ford”
  • Elstead (Surrey)

Elder Wildlife Rating

Poor, except for the ripe berries which are eaten by birds and small mammals in large numbers.

Elder Tree Good Points / Bad Points

The unripe green berries are poisonous.

Elder trees have a shrub-like form and often appear scruffy, with branches prone to cracking and leaving deadwood mixed with live branches.

Want to Buy an Elder Tree?

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