Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
*Never eat wild food unless you are confident that you have identified the fruits, nuts, seeds, etc.
correctly and are sure that they are safe for human consumption.
01.
Prunus dulcis
Almond
The almond tree is not only grown for their edible
seeds but also for the lovely spray of white-pink
blossom that covers the tree in spring. Almonds have
many uses from enjoying raw, to adding to dishes like
curries; confectionary; cakes or turning into milk or
oil. The green furry outer layer of the seed, known as
the shuck, is also edible and can be compared to a
hard nectarine or peach. Fruiting begins in 3-4 year
old trees but it is well worth the wait!
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Prunus
_dulcis#mediaviewer/File:PikiWiki_Israel_70
23_Amond_blossom.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Blossom
Flowers in May
Nuts
Fruit in summer
02.
Morus alba Pendula
White mulberry
The white mulberry is far more unusual than the
black mulberry but it is still a stunning tree,
particularly the dramatic ‘Pendula’ variety – it is also
a favourite food of the silk moth. The white berries
which turn pink/red when ripe can be eaten raw or
cooked but should be eaten as quickly as possible as
they do not store well.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Morus
_alba_pendula#mediaviewer/File:Morus_alb
a_pendula_Syrets1.JPG
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
July-August
Page | 1
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Blossom – tea
Nuts – raw or roasted
Use:
Raw or cooked
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
03.
Amelanchier lamarckii
Juneberry
The juneberry is a stunning tree with a beautiful display
of white flowers in the spring followed by their deep
purple berried in the summer. The fruit can be eaten as
they are or added to salad, jams, cakes or pies.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Am
elanchier_lamarckii#mediaviewer/File:20
14.03.29.-01Mannheim_Feudenheim_BuergerparkKupfer-Felsenbirne-Blueten.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Berries
July – wait for the berries to
turn to deep purple when they
will be ripe
04.
Ficus carica Nero
Fig
Many people are surprised that figs can grow in the UK
but they can and tough varieties like Nero can do very
well. With big, dramatic leaves and dark, juicy fruits this
will really be a stand-out tree on the tree trail. Nero
trees start bearing their fruit much earlier than other fig
varieties so it won’t be long before this tasty treat will
be available on your doorstep.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ficu
s_carica#mediaviewer/File:Ficus_carica_
mit_Fruchtansatz.JPG
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
August-September
Page | 2
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Cooked or raw
Use:
Raw or cooked
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
05.
Cydonia oblonga
Quince
Like the medlar, the quince is a tree and fruit that was
once very popular but has now fallen out of fashion.
The fruit should be harvested before the first frost and
is quite bitter, so shouldn’t be eaten raw, however it
can be very tasty when bletted or cooked.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Q
uitte_Cydonia_oblonga-3.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
November
06.
Mespilus germanica
Medlar
The medlar was once a commonly found fruit in English
orchards but has since fallen out of favour despite its
fantastic flavour and winter availability. Medlars need to be
‘bletted’ before they are eaten: harvesting after the first
frost, the fruits are left to over-ripen until they appear in
the first stages of decay, then they are ready to eat!
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Crataegus_germanica#mediaviewer/F
ile:Mespilus_germanica_004.JPG
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
November
Page | 3
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Bletted or cooked
Use:
Bletted
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
07.
Prunus cerasifera
Cherry plum
The cherry plum is a popular variety of cherry tree due to its
early flowering, vivid leaves and tasty fruit. The fruit, which is
slightly smaller than a plum, can be eaten raw or can be
cooked or preserved.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki
/Prunus_cerasifera#mediaviewer/Fil
e:Unidentified-05_(xndr).jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
Aug-Sep
08.
Malus domestica Discovery
Discovery apple
While the Discovery apple can be cooked, it is best eaten raw
or juiced to make the most of its sharp, almost strawberryflavour. This variety was first introduced in 1949 in Essex and
has been well-loved ever since.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki
/File:Discovery_apples.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
Summer/autumn
Page | 4
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Raw or cooked
Use:
Raw or juiced
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
09.
Cornus kousa Chinensis
Chinese dogwood
The Chinese dogwood has it all, with tiny green flowers in
June which are surrounded by white, petal-like bracts
which fade to a delicate pink as they age, then in the
autumn the deep green leaves turn a vivid purple as the
trees produce their pink, strawberry-like fruits. These fruit
are delicious (though a little seedy) and can be eaten raw
or cooked.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Co
rnus_kousa#mediaviewer/File:Cornus_k
ousa_chinensis_A.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
Aug/Sep
10.
Pinus pinea
Stone pine
Stone pines, have been cultivated for their edible pine nuts
for at least 6000 years. The cones produce these tasty seeds
which can be eaten raw or cooked in both sweet and savoury
dishes. They are sometimes also called umbrella pines due to
their distinct shape.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki
/File:Pinus_pinea_Bayonne.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Pine nuts
April
Page | 5
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Raw or cooked
Use:
Condiment
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
11.
Ulmus glabra Camperdownii
Wych elm
The wych elm will grow to be the widest tree in the tree trail
with a canopy stretching over 25 metres. The young leaves
are a tasty addition to a salad and the young fruit can be
eaten raw.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki
/Ulmus_glabra#mediaviewer/File:Ca
mperdown_Elm_Prospect_Park_Bro
oklyn.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit and young leaves
May-Jun
12.
Prunus avium
Wild cherry
The wild cherry really offers something for every season:
covered in a show of white flowers in late spring followed by
edible shiny red cherries, the leaves then turn a fiery orange
and red in autumn. The tasty fruit can be eaten raw or
cooked.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Prunus_avium#mediaviewer/File:S%C
3%BC%C3%9Fkirsche_Prunus_avium.j
pg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
Autumn
Page | 6
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Raw
Use:
Raw or cooked
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
13.
Morus nigra
Black mulberry
The black mulberry is a truly beautiful tree with vibrant green
leaves and gnarled tactile bark. The purple-black sweet fruits
are best harvested just before eating as they do not travel or
store well, however they are worth it as a really tasty treat.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki
/Morus_nigra#mediaviewer/File:Mo
rus_nigra_001.JPG
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Berries
Mid-summer
14.
Juglans regia
Walnut
The Walnut tree is not only useful for its tasty fruit that can
be harvested in the autumn but it also grows to be a standout specimen tree. Sometimes called the ‘English’ walnut,
the tree is not native to the UK and was introduced by the
Romans.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/J
uglans_regia#mediaviewer/File:Jugla
ns_regia_Walnoot_%27Buccaneer%2
7_(1).jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Nut
October
Page | 7
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Raw or cooked
Use:
Raw or cooked
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
15.
Prunus domestica Victoria
European plum ‘Victoria’
This tree not only provides the delicious yellow and pink
fruits of the Victoria plum, but is also a beautiful tree
throughout the year with stunning white blossom in spring
and luscious green leaves throughout the summer. Victoria
plums are delicious raw and cooked.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Prunus_domestica#mediaviewer/File:
Pruimenbloesem_Reine_Victoria_(Pru
nus_domestica).jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
August-September
16.
Tilia cordata
Small-leaved lime
The small-leaved Lime has glossy dark leaves which turn yellow
in autumn and clusters of white fragrant flowers in summer.
The leaves, best harvested while they are young, make a great
addition to a salad or can be brewed to make a refreshing tea.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wi
ki/Tilia_cordata#mediaviewer/File:
Tilia_cordata_bark_beentree.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Leaves
Spring-Summer
Page | 8
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Raw or cooked
Use:
Raw/tea
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
17.
Castanea sativa
Sweet chestnut
The sweet chestnut has beautiful, grooved and rugged bark,
glossy green leaves, stunning catkins and on top of all of
that, edible fruits! The sweet chestnuts are delicious when
roasted but can also be used to make flour.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Castanea_sativa#mediaviewer/File:Yo
ung_chestnuts.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Seed
October
18.
Ziziphus guiggiolo (syn. jujuba)
Jujube
The jujube is a small and rather spiny (be careful!) tree
which is native from south-eastern Europe to China where
they have been cultivating it for its fruit for over 4000
years. The fruit is best eaten dried, when it resembles a
date – the jujube is often called the Chinese date for this
reason.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Category:Ziziphus_jujuba#mediaviewe
r/File:Common_Jujube__Ziziphus_zizyphus.JPG
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
October
Page | 9
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Cooked
Use:
Dried (can also be eaten raw or
cooked)
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
19.
Olea europaea
Olive
Bringing a Mediterranean touch to Loxford Park, the olive
tree is both an interesting and long-living tree and will
develop fruit even in the UK climate – just watch out for the
pigeons as they love olives too!
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Olea_europaea#mediaviewer/File:Oliv
esfromjordan.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
Summer (can vary in UK
climate)
20.
Sorbus aria Lutescens
Whitebeam
Large silvery leaves open in spring followed by white
flowers later on in the season. Autumn brings darker leaves
and vibrant orange-red berries. These berries are edible
and make a great jam – but only if you can get them before
the birds!
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/S
orbus_aria#mediaviewer/File:Weilbur
g_-_Tiergarten_-_Mehlbeere.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Berries
Autumn
Page | 10
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Fruit – pickled / oil
Use:
Cooked/bletted
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
21.
Gingko biloba
Maidenhair tree
This stunning tree is known as a 'living fossil', it is the sole
survivor of an ancient group of trees that date back to
beyond the time of the dinosaurs and the maidenhair tree
remains virtually unchanged today. Maidenhair trees can
be extremely long-lived, the oldest recorded individual
being 3,500 years old. Not only does this tree have an
incredible heritage and capacity for survival but it has a
seed that is edible when cooked – tasting like a large pine
nut.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gi
nkgo_biloba#mediaviewer/File:Gingko_
biloba_CS1.JPG
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Seed
Summer
22.
Arbutus unedo
Strawberry tree
A stunning small evergreen tree that produces white
flowers and strawberry-shaped red fruits with deep redbrown bark that shreds to reveal green underneath.
The fruits are a source of vitamin C and used in honey
production. Be warned not to eat when either unripe or
over ripe as you may experience mild intoxification and
nausea! When ripe, the fruit can be eaten raw or made into
jams or jellies.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Arbutus_unedo#mediaviewer/File:Str
awberry_Tree_fruit_2.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Red Fruit
Late autumn
Page | 11
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Toasted
Use:
Raw or cooked
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
23.
Cercis siliquastrum
Judas tree
The Judas tree is a small, deciduous tree which is stunning
in late spring with its display of pink flowers. These flowers
are not only beautiful, they are also edible. They can be
eaten raw on salads or even pickled and used as a
condiment. The seedpods can also be eaten raw but won’t
be as tasty.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Cercis_siliquastrum#mediaviewer/File
:Tree_flower_dsc00980.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Flowers and seed
May and September
24.
Acer saccharum
Sugar maple
Stunning in the autumn, the sugar maple has more to
offer than beautiful colours: not only can, sugar-sweet
maple syrup can be tapped from the tree but the young
leaves can give a little extra to your salads in spring and
in the autumn the seeds can be roasted for a toasty
treat.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ace
r_saccharum#mediaviewer/File:Lone_mu
lticolored_maple.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Leaves/sap/seed
Leaves and sap – throughout
growing season
Seed – autumn
Page | 12
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Raw
Use:
Sap – maple syrup!
Leaves – salad
Seed – roasted and eaten hot
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
25.
Malus trilobata
Crab apple
A very rare form of crab apple that is so different to its fruity
relatives that people often mistake it for a type of maple
tree. The large white flowers bloom in spring, followed by
green fruit. The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and have a
pleasant pear-like flavour.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki
/Category:Malus_trilobata#mediavi
ewer/File:Malus_trilobata_leaves_0
1_by_Line1.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
Summer-autumn
26.
Corylus colurna
Turkish hazel
The Turkish hazel is a stately tree with bright green, almost
heart shaped leaves and rough, corky bark that becomes
more distinguished as it matures. The spring sees the
production of long, yellow catkins followed by a cluster of
edible nuts contained in frilly husks in the autumn. The nuts
can be eaten like the native hazel nuts, tasty both when raw
and cooked. They can also be pressed for cooking oil.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki
/Corylus_colurna#mediaviewer/File:
Corylus_colurna_JPG.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Nut
Autumn
Page | 13
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Raw or cooked
Use:
Raw or cooked
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
27.
Betula pendula
Silver birch
Famous for the silvery bark from which the silver birch gets
its name, this edible tree has surprising uses. The sap makes
a refreshing drink or can be made into a beer or vinegar.
The young leaves can be added to boiling water to make a
tea.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Betula_pendula#mediaviewer/File:Bet
ula_pendula_tree_Bulgaria.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Sap and leaves
Sap – early spring
28.
Pyrus communis Conference
Conference pear
Pear trees are beautiful specimens with oval leaves and
scented white flowers in spring which are an excellent
nectar source for bees and other beneficial insects. It is
one of the best known and easiest pears to grow in the
UK, producing a reliable and heavy crop of fruits in the
autumn which are great for eating fresh.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Conference_pear.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Fruit
Autumn
Page | 14
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
Tea
Use:
Eat fresh
Loxford Park
Edible tree information sheets
29.
Tilia x europaea Pallida
Common lime
A luscious green tree with golden autumn colour, this variety
of common lime is a hybrid of the small and large-leaved limes.
The tree’s young leaves are both excellent in salads and, when
dried, can be used to make a refreshing tea. The flowers can
also be eaten and have been used to make a chocolate
substitute.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wi
ki/Tilia_%C3%97_europaea#media
viewer/File:Tilia_x_vulgaris11.JPEG
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Flowers/Leaves
Tea/Raw
30.
Araucaria araucana
Monkey puzzle
Handle with caution! Sometimes referred to as the Chile
pine, this ancient slow growing evergreen tree is well
known for its distinctive long slender branches that are
densely covered with overlapping spiked leaves. The
monkey puzzle is an endangered tree which can live as
long as 1,000 years.
The seed cones mature in autumn and as they reach
maturity will break down to release the nut-like seeds,
tasting similar to pine nuts. Once harvested, the seeds can
be stored for at least 9 months in cool, dry conditions.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ar
aucaria_araucana#mediaviewer/File:Ar
aucaria_araucana_cones.jpg
*Edible Feature:
Harvest time:
Seeds
Autumn
Page | 15
www.treesforcities.org
020 7587 1320
Charity Registration No. 1032154
Use:
July/Spring-Autumn
Use:
Seeds – eat raw or cooked
(boiled, roasted or ground (they
make a good flour)