Tree Profiles > How to identify an elder tree
Wondering if you are looking at an elder tree? Your clues are their leaves, flowers and fruit. Here's what they look like at-a-glance:
Hello! In today's guide we are going to learn how to identify an elder tree. Are you ready? Let's get started! Here are a few elder tree facts:
Elder trees can grow up to 15 meters tall, live for up to 60 years and prefer growing in woodlands and hedgerows.
Elder leaves are pinnate, lightly toothed and grow in opposite pairs.
The buds are scruffy looking and raggedy.
Elders have tiny, 5-petalled creamy-white flowers in large umbel-like clusters.
The berries are small, purpley-black and grow in clusters on purpley-red stems.
elder leaves
ash leaves
Ash leaves look similar to elder, but they are thinner, narrower and have more leaflets per stem.
