Elder

Description

Common names include elder, elderberry, black elder, European elder, European elderberry and European black elderberry,It is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 6 m (20 ft) tall and wide, Found in Hedges, waste-ground roadsides and woods. The Fruit will make a nice Blue-Grey Red colour dye while the leaves a Green, The bark can also be used with iron to make a black dye.

If using in as  hedge: All species in a wildlife hedge can be cut back or “Coppiced” without harm. In the 1st year after establishment the hedge can be cut back to stimulate growth of the hedge from the base thereafter cut every 2-3 years. If the weather is unsuitable for planting or receiving the hedging, dig a hole and bury the roots of the bunched plants, they can be held like that till planting. After planting it is advantageous to mulch the hedge with lawn mowing or leaf mould to suppress weeds and also be done with plastic or carpet cuts and covered with soil.