How to Identify Elderberry Pithy Wood

The elderberry plant is a large bush that spreads easily and quickly. It is characterized by green leaves and clusters of tiny, white, lace-like flowers that develop during the summer. During the fall, the white flowers turn into clusters of dark purple berries. The stem of the elderberry bush is very hard and is used to create items such as combs and flutes. The pithy wood of the elderberry is located inside the tree's younger branches and can be easily scraped out.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Knife

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Instructions

• 1

  Look for bushy shrubs that are approximately two to four meters tall. The bushes grow in clusters, so look for a large population of similar shrubs. According to ElderberryWine.net, some common locations that elderberry bushes grow are roadsides, riversides, railroad tracks and fences.

• 2

  Look for bushes that have large clusters of tiny, white flowers in the spring and summer months. The flowers have a lace-like appearance and grow at the end of each stalk of the bush. The petals of the flowers are often removed by wind so the ground will likely be covered by tiny white petals.

• 3

  Wait until the fall months and look for plants that have clusters of small blue or purple berries. The optimal time for berry growth is usually from August to September.

• 4

  Examine the bark of the bush and look for tiny raised bumps along the stem. In young trees, the stem will be green and the spots will be a light red or tan color. In older trees, the bark will be white or silver and that the spots will be black or brown.

• 5

  Cut off one of the smaller, green stalks of the elderberry bush with pruning sheers or a sharp knife. Make a slit down the center of the stalk with the knife and pull open the stalk to expose the center of the stem. You will see a thin layer of dark bark near the edges of the stem, followed by a thin green layer. The white material contained inside the stalk, next to the green layer, is the pithy wood of the elderberry plant.