Eating the Worst Tree on my Yard - Siberian Elm

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  • Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
  • Is there a tree that just grinds your gears? Puts a bee in your bonnet? If so, perhaps you live in North America and have Siberian elms.
    Originally brought to North America in the 1800s, and gaining much popularity as American elms died off en masse from Dutch elm disease, these arboreal rapscallions turned out to be pretty invasive, and spread like the Dickens. Fortunately, they're also edible, and even kind of tasty.
    *Disclaimer: As is sometimes necessary to say on the internet, the rant at the start of the video is partially facetious. These are egregiously invasive in some areas, but in the right place, these are a great plant.
    Plants in this video:
    Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila)
    Family: Ulmaceae (Elm family)
    Other names*: Litteleaf Elm, Dwarf Elm, Asiatic Elm, 비술나무 (Bisulnamu), 西伯利亞榆 (Xībólìyǎ yú), 钱榆 (Qián yú)
    *sometimes called Chinese elm, though this can lead to confusion with Ulmus parvifolia, which more commonly goes by that name.
    Links:
    Fried Samaras:
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    Samaras with Eggs:
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    Samara and Pork Steam Buns:
    www-mszx001-co...
    Credits:
    Host: Sam
    Writing: Sam
    Editing: Sam
    Camera: Sam
    Chainsaw Camera: The Wife
    Background Mom: Mom
    Title Music: 'The Cascades' by Scott Joplin, played by Sam
    Title Camera: Julia Goertzen and Sam
    Title Graphic: Julia Goertzen
    Thumbnail: Sam
    Chinese Assistance: Zach Adrian
    Ending Music: 'In the Hall of the Mountain King' by Edvard Grieg, played by Kevin MacLeod
    Images:
    Chinese Coin: Scott Semans, CC-BY-3.0
    Elm in Winter: Richard Warkentin
    Sponsored by: Stanley Soil Management Association
    (Opinions presented in this video are those of the presenter and not necessarily representative of those held by the Stanley Soil Management Association or Richard Warkentin)
    Special thanks to Richard Warkentin

КОМЕНТАРІ • 52

  • @thetawave2473
    @thetawave2473 2 роки тому +9

    Best video on foraging this tree beastie that I have ever seen, thanks!

  • @oscarc8549
    @oscarc8549 2 роки тому +10

    Interesting! Just a side note, they are not invasive everywhere in the U.S. I did not know that they are sterile in south Texas until I moved to San Antonio. Our climate prevents flower buds from opening and hence never set fruit. Single specimens here remain single with no offspring. I read that in places like San Diego, California, Siberian Elm never flowers nor sets fruit due to the climate there.

    • @richardwarkentin3541
      @richardwarkentin3541 2 роки тому +2

      Good to know they are not invasive everywhere!

    • @AmblingwithSam
      @AmblingwithSam  2 роки тому +2

      Oh interesting! Colour me jealous.

    • @Lightharvest-dd2bf
      @Lightharvest-dd2bf Рік тому +2

      Maybe there isn't enough winter chill in either city to switch the tree into full reproductive rediness.

  • @j.t.cooper2963
    @j.t.cooper2963 Рік тому +4

    I had 3 huge ones (55 years old) removed from my property a few weeks ago. I couldn't be happier now that they are finally gone and turned into a mountain of mulch.

    • @AmblingwithSam
      @AmblingwithSam  Рік тому +4

      Nice. That is my preferred state for Siberian elms to be in as well.

  • @matshagstrom9839
    @matshagstrom9839 2 місяці тому +2

    So well described, what is amazing is I purchased a Serbian elm and have Bradford pear in my driveway.
    Once I get my tree to flower I’ll try eating them as well.
    I just want to share my appreciation for your way of viewing the world and sharing your opinions
    Simply an enjoyable video

    • @AmblingwithSam
      @AmblingwithSam  2 місяці тому

      Thanks! I really appreciate it. Let me know how it goes.

  • @JW-zs6tn
    @JW-zs6tn 5 днів тому

    we had a siberian elm in our yard, so beautiful and we all cried to have it removed... millions of seeds every year and none regrew anywhere... wish any or some would have

  • @brasolm7947
    @brasolm7947 9 місяців тому +2

    I stay in South Africa and I have been trying for months to remove this trees in my yards.

    • @AmblingwithSam
      @AmblingwithSam  9 місяців тому +1

      Oh, I didn't realize you guys had them there too. They are pretty tough trees unfortunately.

  • @hammond6305
    @hammond6305 2 роки тому +4

    That ending was🔥

  • @2Jeezuzisreal
    @2Jeezuzisreal 3 місяці тому +1

    Great video thanks
    I need help identifying. I'm in Minneapolis area Mn.
    And I found a small shrub like dwarf , looks like a small elm leaf hybrid multiplying like crazy in this lady's backyard for about 10 to 12 years.
    she was just not aware that it is the worst root and was growing into her chain link fence. Hundreds and hundreds of them and spreading into the neighbors. The root grows to the size of an arm. But it doesn't have a trunk it's a group of gnarly twisted thick fat fingers that grow up in all directions then it shoots stems that go up to 6 to7 and 8 ft.
    I identified it as an elm tree because of the small leaves look just like the pictures I see online.
    So I assume it's a dwarf hybrid but there's no way a nursery would ever sell this ugly looking piece of junk.
    When I cut into it it's a thick sticky sap. I managed to kill them easily by cutting it low and drilling a few holes in the base and fill them with Roundup.
    Has anyone else ever heard of this or any other tree that looks like a elm leaf.?

    • @AmblingwithSam
      @AmblingwithSam  2 місяці тому

      Oh interesting. Without seeing pictures, it's hard for me to say, and you may have a few different invasives in Minneapolis that I wouldn't have seen in Manitoba, but based on your description I think it's at least possible it's Siberian elm.
      I know in areas that are mowed only infrequently, I've seen them grow somewhat like you describe, with the base beneath what the mower can reach slowly getting fatter while it sends out thinner tall shoots. I have also seen a couple get gnarled, twisted, and stubby when someone used roundup on them, without using enough to kill them completely. So maybe something like that, or like you mentioned an odd hybrid, or maybe mutation?
      But again hard to say without seeing the plant.
      The one part throwing me is the thick sticky sap. The ones I've worked with tend to have small amounts of slightly sticky/slippery sap, but not much, at least in the summer, other than a couple where the trees had what looked like a diseased wound.
      Some other trees and shrubs that come to mind that could have somewhat elm-like leaves could include alders, hazelnuts, maybe some hackberries (less likely). I think those would be less likely to match the rest of your description though.

  • @2Jeezuzisreal
    @2Jeezuzisreal 3 місяці тому +1

    Thank you good to know. Great job on a great video

  • @ADVNevada
    @ADVNevada 2 роки тому +4

    nice stuff to know, I have many of these on my property in Nevada. They wont grow very well here without human help, so I suppose they are not invasive here. they grow super fast and use little water so its a great tree for my area.

    • @gina6432
      @gina6432 Рік тому

      Hi, thank you! I live in AZ, we have land with no trees, and a neighbor gave me some of these to keep the dirt from blowing away.

  • @tag5504
    @tag5504 Місяць тому

    I need to manage all of mine. It's getting out of hand. Have you done girdling before, with and without herbicide? Rather go the later route if possible... I can't believe how fast they grow!!! 😶

  • @Jabberwalks
    @Jabberwalks 2 роки тому +2

    That's really cool digging into some Chinese recipes. I'll have to try that or maybe ask some friends to do some translating for chestnut recipes!

  • @Terrorfrombeyondspace
    @Terrorfrombeyondspace Рік тому +2

    Legitimately good video

  • @stgjaden_5053
    @stgjaden_5053 8 місяців тому +2

    I have a shit ton of Siberian elms

  • @richardwarkentin3541
    @richardwarkentin3541 2 роки тому +2

    Looking forward to this one!

  • @zacharyadrian410
    @zacharyadrian410 2 роки тому +2

    Yay! Been waiting for this one!

  • @ericwanderweg8525
    @ericwanderweg8525 2 роки тому +1

    I can appreciate the animated way in which you describe these invasive trash trees as needing to be completely wiped from our native landscapes. There’s one at the bottom of my street and I hope it’s pollen doesn’t drift up to my native red elm, making hybridized bastard child seeds 😂

    • @mariopng7686
      @mariopng7686 Рік тому

      How did you keep your elm alive from the disease?

    • @ericwanderweg8525
      @ericwanderweg8525 Рік тому

      @@mariopng7686 They live just fine in the wild untouched until they get large enough to look good to the bark beetles… it’s a crapshoot for when that might happen though. The one in my yard is still young, about a 2 inch diameter trunk 15 feet tall. There’s no telling how long it’ll live. Could die when the trunk hits 4-5 inches, or it could live to be 2 feet. There’s a lot of them around still, it’s just that they don’t live to be the giants they used to be.

    • @AmblingwithSam
      @AmblingwithSam  Рік тому +2

      Unfortunately I've checked and chopping down neighbours' trees isn't legal in my province. Maybe in yours?

    • @Lightharvest-dd2bf
      @Lightharvest-dd2bf Рік тому

      @@ericwanderweg8525 That tall vase shape was extraordinary.

    • @2Jeezuzisreal
      @2Jeezuzisreal 3 місяці тому

      That sounds familiar let me describe what I found in Minnesota. An elm like leaf on a small dwarf bush. Hundreds of them growing in a ladies backyard out of control 6to7 ft tall weed looking but not full like a normal bush. it has a gnarly thick root but no trunk. It is grotesque root and about 8 thin shoots that go up. I cut them short and drilling holes in the and poured poison into them. They appear to be all dead now. Now I have to go through the whole neighborhood and talk to the neighbors about killing them.
      Is this from a nursery?

  • @heathermacphail5812
    @heathermacphail5812 2 місяці тому +1

    Interesting

  • @davidthomson802
    @davidthomson802 2 роки тому

    Going to be twiddling my thumbs and waiting for May now to see if there's a hole in these samurais that will corroborate your excellent tale of strung money. Time is money, but during a famine, food is money.

  • @micheleaustin794
    @micheleaustin794 Рік тому +2

    I've caught my dogs on several occasions eating the leaves..... now I know.
    Thanks for the informative video !.
    I hate these damn trees 🤬

  • @davidthomson802
    @davidthomson802 2 роки тому

    well dang, where were you in May when I was happily eating the maple next door to this Siberian elm. No question mark as I can see that your video's from last October. Now that you mention, I do remember a lot of white coming down and thinking, hmm, that's not snow. Whether they were these samurais, well, now I'll have to wait till next spring.

  • @raphlvlogs271
    @raphlvlogs271 2 роки тому +1

    they are also less durable than other elm species such as Ulmus parvifolia and Ulmus glabra.

    • @AmblingwithSam
      @AmblingwithSam  2 роки тому +2

      Interesting. We don't have many other elms around to compare with, but we have noticed a somewhat high number of the Siberian elms in our windrow dying as the row matures.

    • @davidthomson802
      @davidthomson802 2 роки тому +2

      @@AmblingwithSam yes, ours, if it is a Siberian, is none too healthy. Well, I'll fatten him up in April and see how much of him I can eat.

  • @davidthomson802
    @davidthomson802 2 роки тому +1

    Sorry, couldn't think of any disparaging remarks. You caught me off guard.

  • @bariah606
    @bariah606 2 роки тому +3

    So interesting and entertaining!

  • @JW-zs6tn
    @JW-zs6tn 5 днів тому

    sad that you look at every tree as a commodity you... they have purpose and meaning beyond what you know

  • @Pho7on
    @Pho7on 2 роки тому +2

    Can't wait until I eat a tree next Spring.

  • @kimlau6662
    @kimlau6662 2 роки тому +2

    Sam, get elm oyster mushroom from this tree! or add spores to the tree and harvest them

    • @AmblingwithSam
      @AmblingwithSam  2 роки тому +3

      Oh hey, I hadn't thought of that. I haven't seen them on any of my elms, but inoculating them could be a fun project.

    • @Lightharvest-dd2bf
      @Lightharvest-dd2bf Рік тому

      @@AmblingwithSam A great opportunity, and one that most of the West doesn't have with this elm--climate is too dry.

  • @skybluskyblueify
    @skybluskyblueify 2 роки тому +1

    What about tapping for syrup?

    • @AmblingwithSam
      @AmblingwithSam  2 роки тому +2

      Oh, that might be a really good idea! Looking into it, it looks like it can be done. I can't find much specifically on Siberian elm, but American elm apparently makes decent syrup, though with a lower starting sugar concentration than maple, it will take longer to boil down. The caveat with American elms would be that the stress could put them at greater risk of getting Dutch elm disease. But that's not an issue with Siberian elm, and now I'm really curious how well it would work.

    • @davidthomson802
      @davidthomson802 2 роки тому +2

      @@AmblingwithSam yeah, bleed the thing. Seems a bit vindictive but I'm ready to try. Again, will have to wait till April I guess.

  • @sjgoertzen8478
    @sjgoertzen8478 2 роки тому +1

    Good one, Sam! It's even punny! (@ approx 6:00.)

  • @davidthomson802
    @davidthomson802 2 роки тому

    I was licking my tree today. Well, sort of my neighbour's tree. I was licking it because I thought it was a slippery elm, and it had this viscous sap that bound our handsaw and didn't rinse off the saw. Thinking the sap was medicinal slippery elm, I fell to licking. As one does. We call it the tree that ate our garden, because four years ago it was dying and then I brought all my compost down to the yard and we built a big raised bed and in July three years ago I noticed this shadow on the deck and looked up and it was healthy and growing, kind of looming over the yard. Menacing, or friendly, depending on, you know...

    • @AmblingwithSam
      @AmblingwithSam  9 місяців тому

      Late response here, but I appreciate your comments, and I feel like we would get along, haha.