Sambucus nigra

Elder

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
10m 5
6m, exceptionally 16m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Irregular 3
2.5-4m wide 2

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Low (19 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Dense

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Very early (Mar to Oct 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Moderate 9

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Short-lived, typically to 70 years, exceptionally 100+ years 2

Management & Systems

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Can be coppiced, which prolongs longevity 2

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Robust and relatively easy to establish 23

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Minimal or no pruning, but will tolerate hard pruning 1

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Late winter to early spring 2

Black Elder (Sambucus nigra) in the Burgwald Mountains near Wetter-Unterrosphe, Hesse, Germany/ Willow/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: Flowers for drinks, berries can be eaten raw or used in preserves or drinks 79

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp: Speciality timber 9

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: –

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: Medicines, dyes 9

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: 2-3 years 12

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: Unknown

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Low – shallow roots and low canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Relatively low
Medium-term (40 years): Very low
Long-term (60 years): Very low

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Native 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
Moderate 78
Berries of high value to birds 8

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Jun-Jul 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Moderate to high 4

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: Risk of toxicity from all plant parts 31, but generally not considered highly toxic 32

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: None known

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Low
Few disease problems 14
May be susceptible to verticillium wilt and honey fungus 2

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Low
Few pest issues 14
May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite 2

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
Moderate
Resistant to rabbit grazing 712, but highly palatable to deer 78
Birds can attack fruits 14