Elder: Sambucus spp., Caprifoliaceae

The genus Sambucus is composed of about 30 species, native to North America, Asia, Europe, northern Africa, the West Indies and the Andean region of South America. Elder trees are naturalized in other areas of the world. The word sambucus is the classical Latin name, believed to be from the Greek name of a stringed musical instrument made of this wood.

Sambucus callicarpa California tree elder, coast red elder, Pacific red elder, redberry elder, red elderberry

Sambucus canadensis American elder, blackberry elder, common elder, common elderberry

Sambucus canadensis American elder (typical)

var. canadensis Sambucus canadensis Florida elder, Florida elderberry, Gulf elder, southern elder

var. laciniata Sambucus cerulea blueberry elder, blue elder, blue elderberry, New Mexico elder

Sambucus mexicana Arizona elder, desert elderberry, Mexican elder, mountain elder, New Mexico elder, saúco, tapiro

Sambucus velutina velvet elder, velvetleaf elder

Distribution: North America

The Tree: Elder trees are woody plants (trees to shrubs) with large, opposite leaves, which may be evergreen or deciduous and are pinnately compound. The trees produce clusters of small white to pink flowers in flat-topped clusters (like Queen Anne's lace), which later develop into berry-like fruits. Elders can attain a height of 50 ft (15 m), with a diameter of 1 ft (0.3 m). The bark is thick, with irregular ridges or scales, and dark brown to reddish brown.

The following description is for blue elder.

General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of elder is white, while the heartwood is a yellowish brown. The wood has a low luster and no odor or taste. It is light weight,

brittle, and of medium texture.

Weighta
Moisture content	Specific gravity	Weight
Moisture content	Specific gravity	lb/ft3	kg/m3
Green 12% Ovendry	0.46 0.52 0.57	65 36 NA	1,041 577 NA
aReference (59).

Mechanical propertiesa

Property	Green		Dry
MOE	0.90 × 106 lbf/in2	6.205 GPa	1.03 × 106 lbf/in2	7.102 GPa
MOR	6.60 × 103 lbf/in2	45.507 MPa	9.20 × 103 lbf/in2	63.434 MPa
C\| \|	3.04 × 103 lbf/in2	20.961 MPa	5.09 × 103 lbf/in2	35.096 MPa
C ⊥	0.52 × 103 lbf/in2	3.585 MPa	0.76 × 103 lbf/in2	5.240 MPa
WML	8.8 in-lbf/in3	60.676 kJ/m3	9.9 in-lbf/in3	68.261 kJ/m3
Hardness	720 lbf	3202.56 N	840 lbf	3736.32 N
Shear\| \|	1.09 × 103 lbf/in2	7.515 MPa	NA	NA

aReference (59).

Drying and shrinkagea

Percentage of shrinkage (green to final moisture content)

Type of shrinkage 0% MC 6% MC 20% MC

Tangential 9.0 NA NA

Radial 4.4 NA NA

Volumetric 15.6 NA NA

aReference (59).

Working Properties: Elder is easy to work and finishes smoothly. Durability: Nonresistant to heartwood decay.

Preservation: No information available at this time.

Uses: Twigs with pith removed were used for “spiles,” the pipes used for getting maple sap to the bucket. Turnery.

Toxicity: The whole plant is poisonous (54). Additional Reading: 29, 55, 68, 74.

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