Common tree/shrub needs identification
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cuchulain Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 15 Aug 2008 Posts: 5
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:52 pm Post subject: Common tree/shrub needs identification |
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Its flowering lovely this year and I wouldnt mind trying to get seeds from it to grow some saplings.
Its quite common so Im quite embarrassed that I dont know its name
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James Kilkelly Rank: Site Admin

Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2173 Location: West of Ireland
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cuchulain Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 15 Aug 2008 Posts: 5
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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Cheers thanks man.
When the berries appear in August could I pot some to get some saplings next year?
Thanks again.
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inishindie Rank attained: Tree plantation keeper

Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 563 Location: inishowen Ireland
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:02 pm Post subject: cordial invite |
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The berries will do well, if there are any left over after the birds and wine makers have got their fill.........
You can enjoy the trees flowers now though....
Make some summer cordial....You can vary the recipe to suit....
Elderflower cordial is a delicious summer tonic that you can make yourself. It goes down really well with children and adults alike.
This recipe is best made with fresh flowers, which have been picked on a sunny day when they are still creamy in colour and before they fade to white. At this time they have the highest amount of pollen, which contains the yeast.
4.5 litres (1 gallon) of water
1.8kg (4lb) cane sugar
Juice and thinly peeled rind of 6 unwaxed lemons
70 grams of citric acid (2.5 ounces)
40 elderflower heads. Shake them well to remove live insects and only wash if picked beside a road.
(The ingredients are very open to interpretation, you might like to use less lemons or use 30ml (2 tblsp) of cider or wine vinegar in place of the citric acid) There is also a recipe for elderflower champagne which only uses 2 flower heads.
Method: Bring the water to the boil and pour into a sterilised container. Add the sugar, stirring until dissolved. When cool add the lemon rind and juice, also the citric acid (or vinegar) and elderflowers. Cover with several layers of muslin and leave for 24 hours. Stir 3 times a day for 5 days. Filter through muslin into strong glass bottles. The drink is ready after two weeks. Serve chilled, diluted with still or carbonated water to taste. It is best used within three months but it has been known to last up to two years.
For an extra special treat at dinnertime, why not dip the fresh flower heads in batter and deep fry. Boiling up the flowers like you would any herbal tea will be a great ease to hay fever sufferers too.....
Cheers
Ian
Description: |
Elderflower cordial....yummie |
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_________________ if you are interested in raised vegetable beds and veggie growing I have a new website - raisedbeds.net We're busy on social networking too and have over 12,000 members in the group. |
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Sive Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 1731 Location: Co.Wexford
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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Elderflower cordial has to be one of the most wonderful drinks imaginable. And I don't need lots of people telling me wine is better....I don't much like the taste of alcohol, which in Ireland seems to be akin to telling people you have a nasty contagious disease!
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walltoall Rank attained: Orchard owner

Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 706 Location: Thurrock RM15 via Dungarvan and the Banner County
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:59 pm Post subject: making elder drink a la mode |
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Thanks for the recipe and the method Ian. A couple of questions for clarification. (I've made wine in the past.) Do those bottles need corking or plugging? Is there an ideal temperature for the fortnight's storage. It's mighty warm here in Essex right now. Is there a fermentation involved or is it just a cordial?
_________________ Retired trouble-maker. twitters @walltoall and dreams of being promoted to Pedunculate Oaker. |
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inishindie Rank attained: Tree plantation keeper

Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 563 Location: inishowen Ireland
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:12 am Post subject: cool and dark |
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The mixture doesn't ferment (or shouldn't) there was one year when a bottle got so pressurised it opened like a bottle of champagne.
It just needs keeping at room temperature over the fortnight, we put it in a cool dark place, which seems to work for us.
The bottles can be just the normal screw top ones as they are not under pressure, unlike me who needs to get out and mow the grass.........that's the sort of pressure I like......
cheers
Ian
_________________ if you are interested in raised vegetable beds and veggie growing I have a new website - raisedbeds.net We're busy on social networking too and have over 12,000 members in the group. |
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medieval knievel Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 1010
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Her Outdoors Rank attained: Ash Tree


Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 206 Location: West of Ireland
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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Might give the champagne a go. Thanks for recipe
_________________ Love the outdoors!! |
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