Native Trees with Edible Leaves
Nothing herein should be taken as medical or as personal advice, or as a diagnosis or a prescription in any form. Thank you for always making the choices that are best-suited to you and your situation.
The following native* trees, in addition to contributing to ecosystem harmony & health (and therefore, to our health), also offer edible leaves plus additional bonuses. Please remember that trees need their component parts (leaves, sap, integral trunks, etc.) for their own health and vigor, so light-handed harvesting is encouraged. *Here, native refers to the east, north-central Midwest
- American basswood (Tilia Americana) leaves are edible raw when young. The dried flowers make a delicious tea with several therapeutic properties.
- American beech (Fagus grandiflora) leaves, tasting a bit like sorrel, are edible raw when very fresh and young (first thing in the spring, when the leaves first unfurl).
- Birches (Betula spp.), with at least six base species native to our area, have leaves that are edible raw when young (in early spring), tasting a bit like radicchio. The leaves can also be dried for use in tea blends. Birches additionally host chaga, a mushroom that offers us therapeutic properties.
- Hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), of which several dozen are native, yield edible young leaves, flowers and berries. Although none have been found to be toxic (with the possible exception of the seeds of the fruit, which most recommend not ingesting), not all hawthorn species’ products are necessarily palatable.
- Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) leaves are edible and are often used in cooking. They can also be made into a beneficial tea.
- Pines (Pinus spp.), of which there are six native species, offer needles that can be gently steeped in water (not too hot!) to make a healthful tea.
- Red mulberry (Morus rubra) leaves are edible when cooked, and the berries are a treasured treat for many.
** The sap of both birch and beech trees can be tapped if needed for survival.