Edible Plants:Spruce

[@CouchOfPotatoes]

As someone who is into survival, I always worried about things such as vitamin C and foraging, while all around me in northern Europe I have such an abundance of spruce! This is such an amazing video, and a great way to get that vitamin C in your body and make some delicious tea. This skill is a must have and I have to thank you for this!

[@thederb720]

I’m glad you could make use of this info. Thank you for your positive compliments. Most conifers have vitamin C (but don’t use yew-it’s toxic.)

[@genewilliams3483]

In the USA Missouri happy to receive your information

[@thederb720]

Im sure our 2 states have plants in common...

[@swashbucklebaby]

Blanche I just found your channel and I'm so happy I did! You're wonderfully insightful and well educated! Thank you for sharing :)

[@thederb720]

I appreciate your support--it means a lot to me when people find my info helpful.

[@jackfrost884]

Well edited and informational, thanks!

[@thederb720]

+alpha0 I appreciate your support.

[@foxhound6364]

Thanks for the excellent video. These always inspire me to get off the couch and go outside.

[@thederb720]

+foxhound6364 Glad to be of help!

[@esabema]

Thanks for your lovely videos, Mrs Derby, - greetings from the Black Forest, Germany - lots of spruce here!

[@thederb720]

You're from a beautiful country...the forests must be glorious there.

[@christ714]

Always a great watch. You give me something to do. Love your show.

[@thederb720]

..Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joybickerstaff194]

I’m in big trouble now, I am all about learning wild edibles and you have so many, I’m going to have to watch each one many times to imprint the information in my brain LOL, now as I drive home or go somewhere I will be looking at all trees that look like pine and fir, and of course I am going to have to get a close-up look, and of course I will not do anything with them until I am 100% sure that they are edible or can be made into tea, thank you and have a good day!

[@thederb720]

So glad I've inspired you to learn about new plants. You are wise to be cautious!. I find that by walking or riding a bike it's easier to spot stuff than in a car!

[@nigelgericke2533]

Very helpful clear presentation, thank you

[@thederb720]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shanemcnaoimhin233]

Thanks a million, i never knew about spruce and fir being edible, there is a forest of both trees behind my house, used for firewood as they are not native to Ireland. i shall be using them for much more thanks to you :) thanks so much. Slán agus beannacht leat

[@thederb720]

You're from from Ireland.--welcome to my channel!..Our climates are somewhat similar so many of the plants/trees I talk about may be where you live. Keep looking...

[@ladeda7033]

Hey, Greetings Ireland! I know this was an old post but, were you ever able to harvest spruce tips? How was their taste? I made cedar tea before. Definately a taste for winter months. It was like chewing cedar branches😂😂. But its supposed to very high in Vitamin C and other benifficial compounds. So i was wondering if they had a strong taste or not? Thanks

[@noelcahill5901]

@@thederb720 Ireland here as well, I use new Sitka shoots every year to make beer. I've seen the pollen, might get that next time.

[@thederb720]

@@noelcahill5901 I've heard of the shoots in making beer. We have so many new breweries sprouting up here I bet one of these days, some will try spruce as ingredient...

[@ladeda7033]

It's so nice to hear from the wisdom and knowledge of our elders. Always inspiring and informative. So greatful for you taking the time and patience to make all your videos. I miss these kinds of talks. I used to listen to all the old folks talk as a child. Sitting so patiently but always finding "the golden nuggets" of wisdom and knowledge that todays kids have lost. These " story times" with the wise have made me very knowledgeable in many areas of life. To the point i am taken to speak with the "important " people heads of states , and community leaders around the world. I am so glad i found your videos so clear without alk the hype and drama that others use. Easy to watch, easy to listen to, clear and well made. Thank you very very much. 👍

[@thederb720]

Thank you for taking the time to write me. Too often--and too late--young people don't interact or listen to their elders. I know I regret not talking more with my grandparents about their lives. Oral history used to be an important to people but often young folks are too busy with their lives to bother with older people. I feel honored I can share my experiences with people all over the world through KZbin..

[@skylovecraft2491]

This is the best descriptive video that i've found on KZbin for spruce! I cannot wait to make Spruce tip medicines!! Tinctures and salves! So easy to make. We can all do it!!

[@thederb720]

Spruce pollen is about to emerge; hopefully I'll be able to find some ripening cones today...

[@lindaragsdale1656]

Really ihelpful Springtime forging info..I live in Colorado too . thanks!!

[@thederb720]

This spring the male cones have been hard to find as it’s been so windy that as soon as they appear the wind spreads their pollen. The new needles are plentiful.

[@barbararoyal6139]

Thank you 🕊

[@thederb720]

I appreciate your support.

[@gaianeg7927]

Thank you very much for sharing. I learned a lot from you about spruce.

[@thederb720]

Glad you found some useful info.

[@marcellasalmen4371]

Great job

[@thederb720]

Thank you --i appreciate your positive comment!

[@sxefv456]

I Just stumbled upon your video, and channel. The video is very well made and informative. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I wonder where I've been all those years. I subscribed to your channel.

[@thederb720]

I appreciate your subscription to my channel and happy I posted information you can use.

[@thomascalderone186]

Lovely video. Thank you so much!

[@thederb720]

I appreciate your support.

[@donvergas9350]

What a beautiful video!

[@thederb720]

Thank you!

[@tydavis4299]

I always enjoy these videos

[@thederb720]

+Ty Davis Thanks!

[@paulah470]

Cute teapot!

[@thederb720]

I have several cat-themed ones.

[@gitytalbot9719]

you are very very good thank you, I love it

[@thederb720]

Glad you like my video!

[@TheFrequenzT]

you can boil the tips in milk (or water) and get a smooth and delicious honey-woody flavoured tea. delicious!

[@thederb720]

Sounds good. Make sure that the pot is covered as the Vitamin C that's in the Spruce tips is volatile & will escape into the air instead of staying in the brew....

[@robertm4050]

I hadn't heard that They Might Be Giants song before, but I knew the voice and music styling right away.

[@robertm4050]

Between the song selection and info, you have picked up a new subscription today.

[@thederb720]

Thank you--sorry for my very late reply.

[@yenee94]

wow, what an excellent channel!

[@thederb720]

Thank you so much!

[@toddfagan7703]

Nice thank you

[@thederb720]

...glad you liked it.

[@edenstarr5740]

I have a bumper crop of male cones this year...and didn't know if they were edible...But I knew just where to go to find out! :D A kind and gentle voice imparting the wisdom of nature... Thank you! Now I have a whole bunch of new delicacies to try this year! ^_^

[@thederb720]

Eden: we share a common last name; i was Blanche Starr before I married... Keep an eye on those cones--one day they 're firm & not ready, the next they're soft & pollinating...It's a challenge to get them at the right time.

[@edenstarr5740]

@@thederb720 I saw that while I was out picking them. :) Only a couple few had started pollinating, and most are little berry looking pinky purple eggs that juice when I squish them. My one tree has a few million on every branch (which all hang to the ground) for as far up as I can see...The neighbor tree is pretty barren. I watched another video where she soaked the budding needle bunches in water overnight and used the water to make a sorbet...I'm thinking that could be a pretty nice jelly. I like the idea of Spruce Berry Jelly...lol Thank you again for so much nature loving information. I'm hoping to start a like minded group here in Ohio...And you're the inspiration! :)

[@thederb720]

It's always fun if you have a group of people nearby to share info and exchange ideas & recipes--& the Internet is a way to do just that from places far and wide!

[@amberdickerson4179]

This is awesome. Just getting into foraging in Ohio. The goal is to live off the land somewhere in Georgia or West Virginia. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I don't get to spend much time with my elders these days who know all of this stuff. Pappy died at 101 and I'm sure it was due in part to his living off the land.

[@thederb720]

When we’re young -all too often-we are so busy that we don’t take the time to ask our elders about their lives & experiences…I know that was the case with me; now it’s too late as my older relatives have died. We shouldn’t let important information l get lost. That’s one reason I make these videos- to share info with others.

[@we1418]

Extremely good video 👍

[@thederb720]

I appreciate your compliment!

[@markcummings6856]

Thanks for sharing!

[@thederb720]

Glad to...

[@silentdancer981]

Great video, thanks so much!

[@thederb720]

Glad you liked it.

[@Humble-Daniel]

I love how you explain the distinguishing features between toxic lookalikes with such detail. That's super helpful for identification. Which tea do you prefer, cedar, pine, spruce, or fir? Thank you for this video.

[@thederb720]

Each tree has their own unique taste. I prefer pine only because it's right nearby & accessible. But try them all--to see what you like.

[@eldritchcorvid]

I live in the city and it's pretty difficult to access and forage clean edibles, but I love watching your videos anyway. :)

[@thederb720]

Most cities have some green areas. Maybe there's a park where at least you could find some, not neccessarily to forage, but to id from my videos. Thanks for your positive feedback.

[@MatthewBendyna]

You mentioned pokeweed, and I read a book on foraging warning me that pokeweed is poisonous and that if often is mistaken for ripe elderberries which are edible when ripe.

[@thederb720]

Some people say Poke berries are poisonous, others say it's the SEEDS inside them that are toxic. I've heard that some Southerners make pokeberry pie but because I'm reaching people all over the world, my opinion is to avoid them, just to be cautious. As the the young poke greens, I've cooked them in a couple of waters (discarding, not saving the water) with no problems at all. That's why focused on the greens in this video.

[@joybickerstaff194]

Hello Blanche! This is wonderful! So many things to be had from the spruce! I will be looking around before May to see if there are spruce trees around here, I hope I find some! I assume the young lady in this video is your granddaughter, if so, she’s a very lucky girl to be learning about the wonderful wild edibles from you! Thank you

[@thederb720]

And thank you, Joy, for putting some of my videos on your channel's playlist! I'm in good company (Susun Weed , Green Deane --both of whom I've met) & others whose sites I didn't know about until I saw them featured on your channel! Yes, that's my granddaughter--she's been in my videos since she was a baby (see the Black Locust one) so she's used to being in front of a camera!

[@Jefferdaughter]

Nice Laurel Burch teapot.

[@thederb720]

I have a lot of her ceramics--and many other cat-related items.

[@hakancelaleddin]

Thanks

[@thederb720]

Glad you liked it.

[@dalelusk2151]

Great video and information, can be dehydrate and use for tea like other herbs or not, please reply 🙏 thanks.

[@thederb720]

I don’t see why not it could be hydrated; some people do that & mix the finely powdered pieces with salt to make it a flavored condiment.

[@dalelusk2151]

Thanks.

[@erionabroadus3569]

Thank u we need more repices plz

[@thederb720]

Will try...I like to make them simple & not too complicated. Chef Alan Bergo has many good recipes on his site: foragerchef.com

[@cherosno]

Thank you for the informative video. What did you end up using the pollen from the male cones for?

[@thederb720]

I freeze it so it will last a long time. I put small amounts of it in smoothies, cereals, pancake batter & any other thing I can think of.

[@SG-ce7ji]

❤❤❤❤

[@erica-vb9hh]

What exactly did you have in that spring salad? Great video. :)

[@thederb720]

As to the salad: I added Cattail shoots, Forsythia flowers, Violets (white & purple), Redbud flowers (pink & white), Phlox flowers, Quince flowers, Linden leaves & spruce needles & male cones--but I've probably forgotten what other things I added...

[@cathyshu1434]

Thank you, learned a lot. You got a new sub. Is the little girl your daughter? She is so adorable: her picture at the end of the video made me laugh. Thank you to both of you for bringing the knowledge to me!

[@thederb720]

Glad you liked the video. The little girl is now a teenager; she's my granddaughter.

[@russetburbanks275]

I just found your videos. I hope you are well.

[@thederb720]

I'm doing fine. All through the pandemic I was able to continue foraging & shooting footage for my videos. I hope that you to are ok...

[@tigertbalm]

Cute cameo by your granddaughter.

[@thederb720]

She's much cuter than i am!

[@davidy4375]

I gotta try this. Too late this summer, but I'll be ready next spring. Can the spring White Pine shoots be eaten like spruce? The WP needles make a nutritious tea in winter.

[@thederb720]

White pine shoots can be eaten-- but I like spruce, hemlock (tree, NOT the plant!) & fir ones better so I use them. White pine needles can be used all year round for tea.

[@donhancock332]

Since spruce tips are so good for humans to eat would'nt deer find them good also? So how come i find so many of them? By the way, i live in western Oregon which is a foragers heaven.

[@thederb720]

Deer usually try to avoid trees that have prickly leaves(or in the case of spruce , needles),strong scents & that produce resinous sap. Spruce has all of those characteristics so maybe that's why they don't go after them.i've heard Oregon is a mushroomer's paradise as well- is that true?

[@Miszczuuu]

what to do with spruce cone pollen? It's hard to find recipes for it

[@thederb720]

I don't use a recipe--I add a small amount (1 Tbs?) to smoothies , pasta, pancakes, or cereals. There are several recipes for pine pollen on foragerchef.com (he's excellent!) on using pine pollen; I don't see why those wouldn't work with spruce pollen?

[@jonhohensee3258]

Blanche Cybele Derby - Yews do not have berries. They have arils.

[@thederb720]

You're right. What I should have said is Yew seeds are surrounded by a soft covering called an aril, which resembles a bright red berry.

[@NJ-xp4eb]

Can you only use the tips or also older growth for the vitamin c tea?

[@thederb720]

Fresh growth may taste better & may not need to be brewed as long as older growth, but both are ok for tea.

[@NJ-xp4eb]

@@thederb720 thanks so much

[@aurelienyonrac]

thanks, for your videos. i picked several pounds on falle branches... how do i keep it? dry ? grounded? in bags? thanks

[@thederb720]

+Aurélien Carnoy You must live where it' spring: there aren't any emerging tips here yet. You can save some in the fridge for a few weeks, and/or freeze some & (freezer)bag them up or put in jars. I haven't tried drying them, but I suppose you could do that too.

[@InsertName125]

Yew trees are amazingly poisonous. A gardener recently committed suicide by eating just 2 needles. It took about 24 hours of excruciating pain. So, um, yeah.

[@thederb720]

Yes stay away from yew!