Thank you so much for saying wait until 2nd winter to prune down to ground as I was fixing to prune them all down and they have only been in the ground for one winter. Extremely good information!
I'm very surprised you don't have more videos. You are an amazing and natural teacher! We need your wisdom.....please do more videos🙏. Thank you for this elderberry lesson❤
Thanks a bunch for a very informative video! I've taken several university courses in fruit tree and low bush berry planting and care, but learned more in 10 minutes from you what took a college prof 1 hour..
That was the best information on pruning elderberries I have found. I only have three shrubs in my suburban backyard, and I was so afraid of killing the plant or setting back the blooming for a year or more. I feel so much more confident now. Thank you.
Purchased two ranch elderberry plants from 360 farms yesterday. I will be putting them in the ground today. Talked with Brent on the phone and in person when I purchased the plants. He and his wife are incredibly knowledgeable and want you to succeed. They freely share very good easy to understand information. The mulching information they gave will be put to good use today.
Great video Sir! I spoke with you on the phone a couple weeks ago. You are a wealth of information and you were made for these videos. Great teacher!!! Oregon farmer
That’s an awesome information because I have two elderberries that are spreading like crazy here in Houston Texas, and have never grown them before and needed this information
Good morning, to you Margaret, I have the same idea I have been looking to buy shoots all over the place and was not lucky. Could you let me know where you bought yours and the infos, thanks again, please let me know
@@sylvieclement3432 www.360okfarms.com/ I bought mine from 360 Farms about 4 years ago. They were huge and I finally cut them to ground level. They are coming back nicely!
Really appreciate your video. Look forward to others about Elderberry in Oklahoma. We are going to try planting here in Eufaula Oklahoma on our home place. Really wondered about pruning. Thanks
Thank you for this. I have seeds planted and have rooted babies coming . I love growing things. Im in Minnesota so gotta figure out when winter prune .
Excellent I formation. Am in Savannah Georgia. And just last spring planted elderberries my biggest fear is the heat so I planted them as close to the natural drip line next to the larger trees and still get sun...hope it works! stay blessed
I bought some elderberries and could not find any info on pruning. Mine got over 12 ft tall!. Finally heard how to prune. You are telling the same way. But love the refresher.
Hello from Kansas!! Do you make cuttings from those that were pruned? I'm taking cuttings from a friend's patch and hoping to get them growing to start my own. Thank you for sharing your video!
Thanks for the advice. I live in southern australia and purchased 5 elderberry plants in spring. It’s now autumn and they are doing great. Thanks for advising to leave pruning to the second winter. Very timely advice. I also have an eight year old sambucas nigra which l had no idea was an elderberry???? I love the tree and didn’t even realise the flowers and berries were edible and have so many health benefits. I have been lightly pruning it to keep it well shaped and remove all branches that touch or weave. My question is what do l do with this big tree now? Should l cut it back to the ground or maybe back to about 3ft. Thanks for your informative video. I wish you well. Sandy
Great video! Thank you for sharing. I don’t own any but would like to plant 3 or 4 in my garden. Any advice as to a favorite variety? I live in Rhode Island zone 6. Thank you!
When you say 'prune to the ground' can you elaborate a little more? How much of the pruned cane is left above the ground? An inch? more?? Less? Thanks!
I just viewed this great video. I discovered native ca Elderberry bushes on my property. I need to cut down to soil/prune them. Is it OK to do now April, it's spring?
Again thank you for that clear information. I do have a question. The new growth coming out of the ground is already leaved out, is that normal? Is that how the elderberries emerge in the spring? Should I let all of the shoots grow up or should I prune them out.
We have some elderberries that have never been pruned; they're about 5 or 6 years old. Would they benefit from being pruned to the ground, too? I've been propagating my own bushes the past two years (just planted about 30 this year) because I want enough to make my own elderberry wine and syrup - and have enough that I can supply (they syrup, anyway) my family and friends ;-) Thanks so much for this video; it's *very* helpful!
Ahhh...great pruning video...I just planted in October 2022, so I should wait til next January to prune to the ground, correct? What about propagation? Wait on that also?
I just planted 3 Bob Gordon Elderberry plants...2 questions: you jus answered the first: wait til the second year to prune for better root growth, second how do I lower pH rate?
Hope you still look at comments here. I have been following your advice since I started growing a couple of elderberry shrubs in my backyard a d they have been beautiful and productive. However, this year, despite following your pruning advice, I lost one years harvest due to the whole plant being blown down by our increasingly strong winds (NJ). We saved the other one by tying the stems together and supporting them with a stake. Why would that be happening even though I pruned them down to the ground?
It's very possible that your plants are lacking in one or more vital nutrients. Calcium plays an important role in forming stronger cell walls , meaning stronger stems to withstand nature's fury. We perform a foliar application of calcium annually on our orchards. It gives the plants a stronger stem and cuts way down on "shake" ( a common problem with elderberries). And by the way, we just endured a storm with 75-80 mph winds and I've not noticed any loss.
@@gisealdunn8 we use bulk agricultural calcium as a liquid spray, but for small plantings use ground oyster shells found at any feed or garden store -apply liberally
Have you created any harvesting videos? Im always looking for ideas on elderberry harvest. We are now up to three bushes in our backyard sub garden. I love elderberry!!!
This is just an idea. I am not an expert. I have learned a lot about my plant from this video. I never pruned and the second year was GREAT but the third I did not get nearly the same amount of berries so I am going to really cut them back this year. But I have developed a good way of harvesting if you have enough time. I have lung disease and elderberry syrup is my medicine. I save a lot from making my own. As the berries begin to ripen I put net bags (you can get these online in different sizes for fruit of for wedding favor bags!) over the clusters to keep the birds off. Then when it is time to harvest I just cut the cluster at the stem leaving the net bag on. I put these in large plastic bags and stick them in the freezer. When I have time to make the syrup I remove the berries by just pulling the stem out of the barely opened top of the bag leaving the berries inside. Then I make my syrup.
Isn't pruning to the ground called coppicing? Don't you get several canes from a single plant/root? Do you let them all grow, or only leave a single cane per plant?
I have both Wildwood and John's, and the wildwood is growing flat on the ground - every single cane. Planted it only last year. Is that normal or does it suggest some disease? The leaves are coming out just fine right now.
I have an Adam's, 4 years old now. Is it too late to start pruning them to the ground this winter? The birds have eaten the harvest this year and its grown to about 13 ft tall
I live in E. Texas where we have Sambucus canadensis growing wild. I have several of this type of Elderberry on our property and I am very interested in propagating them. Here we are in early April. Our weather has been cooler than normal this Spring. Is it too late for me to prune my plants? Our Elderberry plants are starting to leaf. I would also like to use the canes to est. more plants on our property. Can I use the main "trunks" of my plants to make new sprouts or should I only use the branches? I have seen, in other videos, to cut them a couple inches above and below the leaf nodes.
The optimum time to attempt propagation is when the plant is completely dormant (middle of winter). Attempting at any other time will result in a much lower success rate. The berry chemistry of plant varieties can vary greatly. Sometimes, wild plants are great producers with excellent berries. Other times, not so much. Dealing with known varieties, where the chemistry and berry quality have been researched, increases the chance of a productive and palatable harvest. Best of luck!
@@360farms9 Thank you, sir! I think I'll experiment. I know one plant on our farm to be a very good producer. I'll trim it and see what happens. I'll save my big sprouting plans for this winter as per your instructions. My husband has given me the fence rows of our 5 acres on which to plant as many cuttings as I can get. I'm also going to be planting Pokeweed berries next Spring, as our family very much enjoys that treat. I'll be canning the Poke Salad for our family to enjoy throughout the year instead of only in the Spring. My goal is to use as many of our wild edibles, planting them on our land, as possible. There is little upkeep to them and, in many cases, there is more nutrition.
@@360farms9 GM ☕️. You just came up on my to watch list & This was my question. I live in high desert northern Nevada z 5/6...sand sand sand lol... I drive about an hour to the mnts for wild elders & use for medicinal purposes. Thank you for explaining how & Why the necessity for pruning. Wow, 7000 plants😳... elderberry heaven☕️❣️
@@deecooper1567 Thanks for your comment. As to the 7000 plants...It is heavenly in May when they're flowering. Not so much during the August harvest, but worth every minute.
Good morning, Mr. Brent my name is Sylvie from Ontario CANADA. Our hopes is to find those Elderberry Trees, either as in Root Stocks or in a tree. Do you sell any of your trees or can you help me find some please. If you want you could you let me know where we could buy some of those Elderberry trees or root stocks, thanks again for taken the time to do the very nice video. VERY VERY INTERESTING.
I have started with one Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) cane on the edge of my garden early last year (SW MI 6A). Propagating 5 cuttings into a different area of our property this spring. Is it necessary to have a different variety of Elderberry in the same general area for them to do well? I'm primarily interested in berries for jellies and tinctures, etc.
If you're growing Sambucus nigra, as in European elder, we can't offer any advice. We only grow Sambucus canadensis, which is the American black elder.
@@360farms9 hi if get plants in the ground this fall, would this be the first winter, so next year 2024 winter i'd cut them down? or would i wait until 2025 winter? i'm in dallas texas. thanks!
@@samuraioodonIf you just got plants in the ground in fall of 2023 you should wait until fall 2024 to prune to the ground. Jan or Feb of 2025 would be even better. The most important thing is to wait for the plant to go dormant before pruning. I started with 4 plants in 2020 and now have 10! They grow-and spread-super fast! Every word he said about growth habits and pruning is 200% true. 👍
If I prune in winter and cut the canes for propagation (I would assume planting should occur early spring), how do I store canes until planting season?
Elderberries propagate in winter. I cut them at 12 inches and stick them in a pot of potting soil and leave them for the winter outside to root. I am in zone 7 and it works here.
Thank you ! been researching about pruning Elders. Many university explaining in a 10 page dissertation. You talk in a logical, experienced ~matter of a fact~ way oh yea, with demonstration. Excellent video in common sense mode !!!
Thank you so much for saying wait until 2nd winter to prune down to ground as I was fixing to prune them all down and they have only been in the ground for one winter. Extremely good information!
Our plants came from your farm and we are having huge success!!
Ok i did it. I pruned to the ground. My hubby wasn’t sure. Im trusting the process😳😳.
How did it turn out??
@verngib9041 How did pruning your elderberries to the ground work out for you? It's been 2 years, we're dying to hear the results, lol
You are a very good speaker/teacher. You should put out more videos. People are really looking for good informational videos. 👍🏼
I'm very surprised you don't have more videos. You are an amazing and natural teacher! We need your wisdom.....please do more videos🙏. Thank you for this elderberry lesson❤
Thanks a bunch for a very informative video! I've taken several university courses in fruit tree and low bush berry planting and care, but learned more in 10 minutes from you what took a college prof 1 hour..
Exactly the information I needed to hear. Thank you
That was the best information on pruning elderberries I have found. I only have three shrubs in my suburban backyard, and I was so afraid of killing the plant or setting back the blooming for a year or more. I feel so much more confident now. Thank you.
Thanks! We're glad it was useful.
G.B.Y 👍 🎩 🇨🇦
Purchased two ranch elderberry plants from 360 farms yesterday. I will be putting them in the ground today. Talked with Brent on the phone and in person when I purchased the plants. He and his wife are incredibly knowledgeable and want you to succeed. They freely share very good easy to understand information. The mulching information they gave will be put to good use today.
Great video Sir! I spoke with you on the phone a couple weeks ago. You are a wealth of information and you were made for these videos. Great teacher!!!
Oregon farmer
I am so excited that you have a you tube channel.
That’s an awesome information because I have two elderberries that are spreading like crazy here in Houston Texas, and have never grown them before and needed this information
I got my plants from 360 farms several years ago...this video has given me the courage to go ahead and prune mine! 👍❤
Good morning, to you Margaret, I have the same idea I have been looking to buy shoots all over the place and was not lucky. Could you let me know where you bought yours and the infos, thanks again, please let me know
@@sylvieclement3432 www.360okfarms.com/
I bought mine from 360 Farms about 4 years ago. They were huge and I finally cut them to ground level. They are coming back nicely!
That was a good video. Thank you.
Awesome video. We are in our second year of growing and will heed your wise words. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, it is much appreciated! ❤️ 🇨🇦
TY for the quick lil comment towards end. When to start. I started with bare root & now will be 3rd full winter this upcoming winter.
Really appreciate your video. Look forward to others about Elderberry in Oklahoma. We are going to try planting here in Eufaula Oklahoma on our home place. Really wondered about pruning.
Thanks
Thank you for this. I have seeds planted and have rooted babies coming . I love growing things. Im in Minnesota so gotta figure out when winter prune .
Excellent I formation. Am in Savannah Georgia. And just last spring planted elderberries my biggest fear is the heat so I planted them as close to the natural drip line next to the larger trees and still get sun...hope it works! stay blessed
I bought some elderberries and could not find any info on pruning. Mine got over 12 ft tall!. Finally heard how to prune. You are telling the same way. But love the refresher.
Thank you for sharing, great information, my plant is n containers should I prune to the top of the soil❓GOD BLESS YOU ✊🙏❗
Very informative. Thank you. Fixing to put some plants in the ground. Also been composting pine needles in preparation.
Thank you!
Hello from Kansas!! Do you make cuttings from those that were pruned? I'm taking cuttings from a friend's patch and hoping to get them growing to start my own. Thank you for sharing your video!
Thanks for the video… great information.
Thank you for your video? My elderberries are to tall for me to reach should I cut top out to shorten them??
Thank you! This video was so helpful for me! So you have any suggestions on how to make removing the berries from the head after harvest any easier?
I’ve heard people freeze the branch in a bag and just knock the berries off…
Thank you Mr Farmer!
Thanks for the advice. I live in southern australia and purchased 5 elderberry plants in spring. It’s now autumn and they are doing great. Thanks for advising to leave pruning to the second winter. Very timely advice.
I also have an eight year old sambucas nigra which l had no idea was an elderberry???? I love the tree and didn’t even realise the flowers and berries were edible and have so many health benefits. I have been lightly pruning it to keep it well shaped and remove all branches that touch or weave. My question is what do l do with this big tree now? Should l cut it back to the ground or maybe back to about 3ft. Thanks for your informative video. I wish you well. Sandy
🌻NEW SUBSCRIBER- looking forward to watching more videos 😊
Great advice, thank you!!
Thanks 😊
Thanks for sharing! Do you recommend hard pruning for all zones? Mine is 2 years old and never went dormant in zone 8a.
Awesome video!!
Great video! Thank you for sharing. I don’t own any but would like to plant 3 or 4 in my garden. Any advice as to a favorite variety? I live in Rhode Island zone 6. Thank you!
"When you have a lonely night go and research that a little bit."
Me: UNLIMITED KNOWLEDGE
Thank you.
When you say 'prune to the ground' can you elaborate a little more? How much of the pruned cane is left above the ground? An inch? more?? Less?
Thanks!
i am in zone 5 south central west virginia. when you say prune in the winter, can i do it in december, or wait until late january or february?
I just viewed this great video. I discovered native ca Elderberry bushes on my property. I need to cut down to soil/prune them. Is it OK to do now April, it's spring?
Mycorrhizal Fungi Network is the suggested educational search term! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Do your research folk, you'll learn A LOT.
Again thank you for that clear information. I do have a question. The new growth coming out of the ground is already leaved out, is that normal? Is that how the elderberries emerge in the spring? Should I let all of the shoots grow up or should I prune them out.
Nonononono..... thank you!
So if I have not pruned my elderberries, and this is the 3rd year, can I still prune them this spring? They have already started getting leaves.
I have an elderberry plant in my garden in Florida it’s putting up shoots like crazy is about 8ft tall this is it’s 2nd
year and no flowers yet
We have some elderberries that have never been pruned; they're about 5 or 6 years old. Would they benefit from being pruned to the ground, too?
I've been propagating my own bushes the past two years (just planted about 30 this year) because I want enough to make my own elderberry wine and syrup - and have enough that I can supply (they syrup, anyway) my family and friends ;-)
Thanks so much for this video; it's *very* helpful!
Thanks
Ahhh...great pruning video...I just planted in October 2022, so I should wait til next January to prune to the ground, correct? What about propagation? Wait on that also?
I just planted 3 Bob Gordon Elderberry plants...2 questions: you jus answered the first: wait til the second year to prune for better root growth, second how do I lower pH rate?
Hope you still look at comments here. I have been following your advice since I started growing a couple of elderberry shrubs in my backyard a d they have been beautiful and productive. However, this year, despite following your pruning advice, I lost one years harvest due to the whole plant being blown down by our increasingly strong winds (NJ). We saved the other one by tying the stems together and supporting them with a stake. Why would that be happening even though I pruned them down to the ground?
It's very possible that your plants are lacking in one or more vital nutrients. Calcium plays an important role in forming stronger cell walls , meaning stronger stems to withstand nature's fury. We perform a foliar application of calcium annually on our orchards. It gives the plants a stronger stem and cuts way down on "shake" ( a common problem with elderberries). And by the way, we just endured a storm with 75-80 mph winds and I've not noticed any loss.
@@360farms9 Thank you for that advice. May I ask one more question? How do you apply the calcium and what product do you use?
@@gisealdunn8 we use bulk agricultural calcium as a liquid spray, but for small plantings use ground oyster shells found at any feed or garden store -apply liberally
Have you created any harvesting videos? Im always looking for ideas on elderberry harvest. We are now up to three bushes in our backyard sub garden. I love elderberry!!!
This is just an idea. I am not an expert. I have learned a lot about my plant from this video. I never pruned and the second year was GREAT but the third I did not get nearly the same amount of berries so I am going to really cut them back this year. But I have developed a good way of harvesting if you have enough time. I have lung disease and elderberry syrup is my medicine. I save a lot from making my own. As the berries begin to ripen I put net bags (you can get these online in different sizes for fruit of for wedding favor bags!) over the clusters to keep the birds off. Then when it is time to harvest I just cut the cluster at the stem leaving the net bag on. I put these in large plastic bags and stick them in the freezer. When I have time to make the syrup I remove the berries by just pulling the stem out of the barely opened top of the bag leaving the berries inside. Then I make my syrup.
I had a problem with fruit flies. What do you recommend?
nice job what do you sugust for iowa zone 5
What month are you doing this in?
Nice video. In all your research, experience, or talking to others, do you know how this type of pruning would do in the northern climate?
We recommend pruning for all the reasons listed in the video. Doesn't matter if you're in Alaska or Florida.
@@360farms9 To the ground though?
@@lucystyles7358 Yes, we prune to the ground. It's scary the first time around.
@@360farms9 Especially in a northern climate Zone 4
Can you propagate from the cuttings you prune off?
Certainly! You should be able to propagate if you have some basic gardening skills.
Isn't pruning to the ground called coppicing? Don't you get several canes from a single plant/root? Do you let them all grow, or only leave a single cane per plant?
we have elderberres int he uk as trees? are they the same there? I have them I made vinegar this year!
Question: does elderberry begin life with a prickly stalk much like raspberries
Not around here they don't.
Can I ask what you do with all the pruning , do you shred and compost them?
Is this all elderberry, like let's say in the Midwest, prune to ground?
Whens the next upload?
I live upstate ny. Should I still trim to ground and what month please.
I have both Wildwood and John's, and the wildwood is growing flat on the ground - every single cane. Planted it only last year. Is that normal or does it suggest some disease? The leaves are coming out just fine right now.
I have an Adam's, 4 years old now. Is it too late to start pruning them to the ground this winter? The birds have eaten the harvest this year and its grown to about 13 ft tall
Sure you can! Just wait until dormancy to prune.
I live in E. Texas where we have Sambucus canadensis growing wild. I have several of this type of Elderberry on our property and I am very interested in propagating them. Here we are in early April. Our weather has been cooler than normal this Spring. Is it too late for me to prune my plants? Our Elderberry plants are starting to leaf. I would also like to use the canes to est. more plants on our property. Can I use the main "trunks" of my plants to make new sprouts or should I only use the branches? I have seen, in other videos, to cut them a couple inches above and below the leaf nodes.
The optimum time to attempt propagation is when the plant is completely dormant (middle of winter). Attempting at any other time will result in a much lower success rate. The berry chemistry of plant varieties can vary greatly. Sometimes, wild plants are great producers with excellent berries. Other times, not so much. Dealing with known varieties, where the chemistry and berry quality have been researched, increases the chance of a productive and palatable harvest. Best of luck!
@@360farms9 Thank you, sir! I think I'll experiment. I know one plant on our farm to be a very good producer. I'll trim it and see what happens. I'll save my big sprouting plans for this winter as per your instructions. My husband has given me the fence rows of our 5 acres on which to plant as many cuttings as I can get. I'm also going to be planting Pokeweed berries next Spring, as our family very much enjoys that treat. I'll be canning the Poke Salad for our family to enjoy throughout the year instead of only in the Spring. My goal is to use as many of our wild edibles, planting them on our land, as possible. There is little upkeep to them and, in many cases, there is more nutrition.
You prune every year regardless the age of the plant ? Excited you are doing these video's ..
Hi Diane! Yes prune every year once they've been in the ground 2 years.
@@360farms9 GM ☕️. You just came up on my to watch list & This was my question. I live in high desert northern Nevada z 5/6...sand sand sand lol... I drive about an hour to the mnts for wild elders & use for medicinal purposes. Thank you for explaining how & Why the necessity for pruning.
Wow, 7000 plants😳... elderberry heaven☕️❣️
@@deecooper1567 Thanks for your comment. As to the 7000 plants...It is heavenly in May when they're flowering. Not so much during the August harvest, but worth every minute.
@@360farms9 🥰🥰
Good morning, Mr. Brent my name is Sylvie from Ontario CANADA. Our hopes is to find those Elderberry Trees, either as in Root Stocks or in a tree. Do you sell any of your trees or can you help me find some please. If you want you could you let me know where we could buy some of those Elderberry trees or root stocks, thanks again for taken the time to do the very nice video. VERY VERY INTERESTING.
Hello Sylvie !
CANADIAN TIRE SALE.
I have started with one Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) cane on the edge of my garden early last year (SW MI 6A). Propagating 5 cuttings into a different area of our property this spring. Is it necessary to have a different variety of Elderberry in the same general area for them to do well? I'm primarily interested in berries for jellies and tinctures, etc.
If you're growing Sambucus nigra, as in European elder, we can't offer any advice. We only grow Sambucus canadensis, which is the American black elder.
@@360farms9 hi if get plants in the ground this fall, would this be the first winter, so next year 2024 winter i'd cut them down? or would i wait until 2025 winter? i'm in dallas texas. thanks!
@@samuraioodonIf you just got plants in the ground in fall of 2023 you should wait until fall 2024 to prune to the ground. Jan or Feb of 2025 would be even better. The most important thing is to wait for the plant to go dormant before pruning.
I started with 4 plants in 2020 and now have 10! They grow-and spread-super fast! Every word he said about growth habits and pruning is 200% true. 👍
Go 360 farms!
Hi beautiful granddaughter!
@@360farms9 hi mim and poppy
If I prune in winter and cut the canes for propagation (I would assume planting should occur early spring), how do I store canes until planting season?
Elderberries propagate in winter. I cut them at 12 inches and stick them in a pot of potting soil and leave them for the winter outside to root. I am in zone 7 and it works here.
Where can I buy the Blade for strimmer
It depends on your trimmer. Mine accepts a 1 inch arbor.
Thank you ! been researching about pruning Elders. Many university explaining in a 10 page dissertation. You talk in a logical, experienced ~matter of a fact~ way oh yea, with demonstration. Excellent video in common sense mode !!!
Thank you!