Sambucus nigra - Elder

Sambucus nigra - Elder

A shrub or a small tree reaching heights of 10 meters. Elder grows on acidic soil and at a rapid rate, it is common throughout Europe.

Mature trunks are brown, on younger ones it has a creamy grey colour with well marked pores.

The wood is soft, piffy and white inside the twigs

Typically pinnate leaves, often 2-3 pairs of leaflets and grow opposite each other on either side of the stem.

Oval shaped, sometimes rounder and has toothed edges

The flowers are minuscule and appear in June, they give rather off-putting smells.