Starting on Philip Street itself we found out that Ash keys (the fruiting bodies) can be pickled and eaten, and that Henry VIII enjoyed them (although they can cause flatulence!) Ash trees can be identified by their black buds.
There were plenty of berries forming on the Rowan trees – a tree with strong spirits, both mythological and when used to flavour vodka (Jarzembiak). When ripe the berries are orange coloured and can taste bitter. Like sloes the berries are best after a frost so if making a conserve (mix with the same weight of apple) put them in the freezer for a while first. We crossed over Whitehouse Lane to find the big Cherry tree there. Sadly most of the fruits had already been blown off by strong winds or eaten by the birds – we could see plenty of stones on the ground (these are poisonous).Moving into Victoria Park we found another Cherry by the school and Andy explained that, while the fruit from most cherry trees are edible, some are small or sour tasting (Bird Cherry) so are only worth using in a jam or to flavour vodka (Wisniówka). The ornamental Japanese varieties tend not to produce fruits.
This side of the park has plenty of Elder, and by now the berries are starting to form so it is easier to identify these trees. The flowers are best picked in the morning, when the pollen is heaviest (check they have that delicate scent). Elder flowers can be used in fruit salads or fried in a tempura batter, as well as for cordial and champagne. They can be dried for later use (including as a tea). Andy recommends leaving the flowers on the grass for a little while before using them, so that any insects can crawl out, as washing them also removes the pollen. The purple coloured elder berries can be made into wine, ketchup and port (add a banana!)
There is a mature Common Pear tree further along, and plenty of brambles, as well as some Hazel (although the squirrels are likely to harvest most of the nuts).
A number of large Lime (also known as Linden) trees are growing in the park. Now starting to come into flower, attractive pale green bracts can be seen under the heart-shaped leaves. When dried, the flowers can be used to make a tea or tisane - which Andy uses to help him sleep. Members of the group recommended lime honey, where the bees have collected pollen from these trees. The leaves when young, pale and thin can also be eaten like salad – try adding some to a ham sandwich.
Having reached the other side of the Park we went left along St Lukes Road – where Andy pointed out the Silver Birch that is reputed to have detoxifying properties (tap the sap) – before reaching the Banana Bridge. Here can be found the first of the Apple trees that we saw growing along the banks of the river, surrounded by brambles. You would need a long-handled implement to harvest these fruits safely, as no-one wants to end up in the river!
There are more Apple trees along this stretch of the river going towards Bedminster Bridge, and you would have to taste them when ripe to find out whether they are good to eat uncooked (wash them first).
We saw more elder and rowan and another Bird Cherry, which had plenty of fruits, still mostly yellow coloured.There is also a Hawthorn, the haw from which can be used to make jam and may even be used to flavour vodka.We were then amazed to find a sprawling mass of Fig trees, with large green fruits forming. These might not ripen fully in this country, but we will come back later in the summer to find out!
There was also a promising Plum tree with plenty of smallish yellow-green fruits ripening among the branches – again one to check back on later.The most surprising find were some Mulberry trees – unfortunately set quite far out towards the water.These are covered in red fruits, looking a bit like strawberries now, that darken into something more like a blackberry, and are, reputedly, delicious!
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