Elderberry Tree

Jackie Devey-Hipkiss

I had some stubborn weeds in my back garden that have now grown into trees I have looked it up and appears to be an elderberry tree. It disperses seedling all over my small garden which is very annoying. I am new to gardening does anyone have any tips how to kill it please

pansyface

Black Elderberry was especially prone to attracting quite the array of mythology. It was sacred in Saxony. It could not be cut down unless propitiated. Arnkiel wrote that his Saxon forefathers regarded it in the manner of a Goddess, addressing her as Dame Ellhorn while upon one knee with bared head & hands clasped in attitude of prayer, begging her permission to use her wood. In ancient & medieval Lettonie (Lithuania) the Lettons believed their god Pushkait dwelt beneath the elderberry, & he received offerings of bread & beer under the branches of Dame Ellhorn.

 

Some propitiation may be required.

Joe_the_Gardener

I never think of elder as a particularly prolific seeder.

Dovefromabove

Hello Jackie

Could you post a picture of your trees on here so we can have a good idea of the options available?

To upload a photo from your pc click on the green tree icon on the toolbar above where you type your post.

Lyn

I have never known mine to self seed, I think the birds must eat the berries before they drop.

I love the blossom, reminds me of my mums home made elderflower  wine, beautiful!

landgirl100

It does self-seed all over the place, in my garden and in the wild - the birds eat the berries and spread the seeds around. If possible the ideal way to get rid is to chop them down and dig out the roots. I've also had good results from chopping down and treating with stump killer. It's a shrub that's much better in the wild than in a garden in my opinion, although there are some nice cultivars - a purple one and a yellow one. Neither survived in my garden, however.