Does anyone here have elderberries? And what do you do with them?

[BesideStillWaters]

I discovered we had elderberries (I think that is what these are) growing wild in our woods when I was gifted four chickens back in 2019. Looked like it was safe for chickens and humans to eat, so I let the chickens gorge themselves. Only one really liked them. Then I hatched chicks in 2020 and they LOVE them. In 2021, I hatched more chicks and they LOVE them too. Last year, the raccoons came and ate a bunch and I'd like to see if I can deter the raccoons from coming by picking them... and if I do, would it be for human consumption, or should pick them and freeze them so the chickens can eat them when they are out of season? Does anyone here eat elderberries, and if so, how did you cook them? Here is one of the trees. (If anyone has elderberries, I'd love a confirmation that these ARE elderberries. Don't want to poison myself. ) This one is actually growing inside the chicken's run.

 

[abpatchy]

They look like elderberries to me. My birds love them too.
For human consumption they have to be cooked. I make jelly and juice out of them and can them. They are wonderful and helpful when you have a cold in the winter.

 

[akf93]

Download the Seek app. It’s free and identifies plants and insects just by hovering your camera over the thing you want to identify. Very cool! I planted elderberries this year and my chickens demolished them. I’m planning to fence them off next year so *I* can use them. Elderberry syrup is a staple in my houseful of littles in the winter!

 

[pertnear09]

I know a lot of little old ladies used to make elderberry wine.

 

[FrostyMilkshake]

I've only heard of people making syrup with them and I hear it really boosts your immune system. I buy vitamin immune gummies from the store that is suppose to help you kick colds and stuff that has elder berry in them and I feel like they work great. I like them more than the Airborne immune tablets.

 

[MamaManda]

Yep, looks just like the native elderberries we have growing here in SW WA, zone 8. I forage them every fall while on my mushroom hikes. I freeze them on stem (the berries are much easier to remove from the stem when frozen) or use them immediately in a tincture that our family takes all fall/winter to boost our immune systems. They can also be dried in a dehydrator for a variety of uses, which I'd like to do, but we always use them up in other ways before I get around to it. I DO dry the flowerheads in my dehydrators for making tea.

Regarding statements on poisoning, and cooking for human consumption, have a look at this: The truth about Elderberries
Makes a lot of sense to me, but to each their own.

Make those chickens share some with you!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yup. Have made jelly out of them. Quite yummy.

 

[McChooky]

I planted wild black elderberry cuttings back in the spring and everyone of them sprouted and got a couple feet tall. I gave all but 4 away because I don't have a lot of room to grow them. I look forward to having elderberries in a year or so! I hope they make it thru the winter!

 

[WonkierZulu]

I'm starting to grow some in my yard. Excited for them to start producing in a couple years. Going to make some great tinctures I hope.

 

[McChooky]

I'm starting to grow some in my yard. Excited for them to start producing in a couple years. Going to make some great tinctures I hope.

Did you plant the cultivated type or wild?