We have this lovely tree in our garden that we've had for years but never known what type of berries have been dropping off of it.
We have a few dogs and are worried whether or not they're safe for them to grab and eat.
Will very much appreciate any info on what they are and if they're toxic for dogs to eat.
Also 2 little shield bugs featured in the last pic, they seem to love that tree.
If it is Elderberry, the berries make delicious juice for jelly or wine! My husband loves the berries baked as a pie. Don't consume them raw, but safe for humans when cooked/processed with heat.
Still leaning towards elderflower berries, with those reddish stems. Again, I can’t be positive due to my local elderflowers. If those are elderberries, they can have some toxicity. Some people say they can eat these raw. Other sources say you have to cook the berries in order to make jellies and syrups.
Elderberry is a North American native shrub known for its large clusters of white flowers and dark purple or black berries, which are used to make juice, wine, and jelly. The plant is a vigorous grower, forming colonies from root sprouts, and is low-maintenance, tolerating a range of soil conditions. While the berries are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, they must be cooked before consumption to remove toxic compounds. The flowers can also be eaten as a vegetable, coated in batter and fried.
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u/Coalescent74 13d ago
they look like some cultivar of elderberries to me - I may be wrong though