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Back to Key. Next (A-B).. (C).. (D-E).. (F-G).. (H-K).. (L-O).. (P).. (Q-R).. (S-T).. (U-Z).

Edible Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Britain (Temperate): A - B

See map here for World temperate areas

CL. Climber     D. Deciduous     E. Evergreen
SH. Shrub       T. Tree


Type BOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME EDIBLE PARTS NOTES
E.T. Acacia longifolia Wattle Seed Very mild areas only, sunny position, light soil
D.T. Acer glabrum Rock Maple Young shoots, inner bark Sunny position, moist well drained soil
D.T. Acer saccharum Sugar Maple Sap - a sugar substitute Sunny position, deep moist soil
  Other species that yield maple syrup include: A. argutum, A. carpinifolium, A. distylum, A. grandidentatum, A. interius, A. macrophyllum, A. mono, A. nigrum, A. negundo, A. palmatum, A. platanoides, A. rubrum, A. pseudo-platanus, A. saccharinum and A. tataricum
D.T. Acer tataricum   Seed, sap Sunny position, moist well-drained soil
D.T. Acer truncatum   Seed Sunny position, moist well-drained soil
D.CL. Actinidia arguta   Fruit - very rich in Vitamin C, sap Very hardy. Good loamy soil. Dioecious
D.CL. Actinidia chinensis Chinese Gooseberry, Kiwi Fruit Fruit - stores up to 4 months Good loamy soil. Dislikes lime. Sunny position. Dioecious
  Other species with edible fruit include A. callosa, A. giraldii, A. kolomikta, A. melanandra, A. polygama, A. purpurea and A. rubricaulis. Most are best in southern England though A. arguta comes from Siberia and would be very worthwhile trying further north
D.T. Aesculus flava Sweet Buckeye Seed - as sweet as a chestnut Good deep soil. Best in south east England
  Other species include Ae. californica, Ae. hippocastanum, Ae. parviflora and Ae. indica. However, they all contain saponins and need to be leached before being eaten so are best avoided. Even Ae. flava should be viewed with some suspicion
D.CL. Akebia quinata, Akebia trifoliata ) Akebia Fruit - not freely produced in Britain Partial shade. Probably self-sterile so more than one plant should be grown
D.T. Albizia julibrisin   Leaves Mild areas only
D.T. Alnus rubra Red Alder Sap, buds, inner bark Succeeds in heavy damp soils
D.SH. Amelanchier canadensis Juneberry Fruit - sweet Most soils, sunny position
  The fruits of all members of this genus are edible, though sometimes dry and tasteless. The following are said to have desirable fruits. A. alnifolia, A. humilis, A. laevis, A. lamarckii, A. stolonifera
D.CL. Ampelopsis brevipedunculata   Leaves and young stems Sunny position
D.SH. Aralia chinensis Angelica Tree Young shoots Shady position, good deep loam
D.T. Aralia spinosa Hercule's Club Young leaves Good deep loam
E.T. Araucaria araucana Monkey Puzzle Seed Deep soil. Very wind resistant. Dioecious
E.T. Arbutus unedo Strawberry Tree Fruit Most soils. Wind resistant
  Other species with edible fruits include A. andrachne, A. menziesii
E.SH. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry Fruit - carbohydrate source Lime-free soils
  Other species with edible fruits include A. columbiana, A. glauca, A. manzanita, A. nevadensis, A. patula and A. tomentosa
D.SH. Arctous alpinus   Fruit Lime-free soil. Cool, damp position
E.SH. Aristotelia chilensis Macqui Fruit - tastes like Bilberries South and south-west Britain only
D.T. Aristotelia serrata   Fruit Moist, mild areas only
D.SH. Aronia arbutifolia Red Currant Fruit Most soils
E.SH. Artemisia tridentata Sage Brush Leaves, seed Sunny positon. Well-drained, lime-free, not rich soil
D.SH. Asimina triloba   Fruit Sunny position, rich loamy soil
E.SH. Atriplex halimus Sea Orch Leaves, seed Sunny position, light soil, even pure sand. Wind resistant
  Other species include A. canescens and A. confertifolia
E.SH. Azara microphylla   Fruit Warm, sheltered position. Most soil
 
E. & D.SH. Berberis spp Barberries Fruit Most soils
  Species mentioned for their fruit include B. aggregata, B. angulosa, B. aristata, B. asiatica, B. buxifolia, B. canadensis, B. darwinii, B. empetrifolium, B. lycium, B sibirica and B. vulgaris
D.CL. Berchemia lineata   Fruit Good moist loam
D.CL. Berchemia racemosa   Leaves, cooked Good moist loam
D.T. Betula pendula Silver Birch Leaves, inner bark, sap Well-drained soil. Tolerates bad soils
  Other Betula spp include B. alleghaniensis, B. lenta, B. nigra, B. papyrifera, B. pubescens and B. utilis
D.SH. Broussonetia kazinoki   Fruit, flowers, leaves Most soils
D.T. Broussonetia papyrifera Paper Mulberry Fruit, leaves Most soils

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