One of essentially the most fundamental challenges in a survival situation is getting enough food. Lots of wilderness lore and survival training revolves around identifying, collecting, and preparing wild edibles safely.
And though most of us consider hunting various critters, or picking protected berries and mushrooms, you would possibly not have stopped to wonder if the leaves that grow plentifully on the trees throughout you might be fit for human consumption or not.
If they’re, that could possibly be an enormous boon to your efforts! So, do you have to eat tree leaves?
You can eat tree leaves in a survival situation, but most offer little or no in the way in which of nutrition. Though leaves can fill your stomach and offer some vitamins and minerals, many species are toxic and have to be positively identified.
Leaves occupy a gray area in terms of survival food. Many of them, especially ones from essentially the most ideal species, are highly edible and even tasty, able to filling your stomach.
But even amongst the very best ones, they provide precious little in the way in which of nutrition, and plenty of species of trees, including several look-alikes, are dangerously toxic.
As with all wild edibles you have to learn your stuff before you partake of them, and even with expert knowledge you’ll need a backup plan in terms of meeting your calorie and dietary requirements.
Keep reading and I’ll let you know what you might want to know…
Tree Leaves Have Always Been Eaten as “Famine” Foods
Throughout history, in times of scarcity or serious survival situations many individuals and cultures have turned to tree leaves as a source of emergency or supplemental sustenance.
Edible leaves provide an accessible and plentiful, if incomplete and marginal, food source when other options are unavailable for whatever reason.
Tree leaves can serve the identical purpose today for survivors in need, or be gathered as an option for fulfilling gaps in your eating regimen that you simply might encounter.
Tree Leaves Can be Useful Dietary Supplements
As mentioned, tree leaves don’t offer anything close to finish nutrition but they will serve admirably as useful dietary supplements.
Rich in essential minerals like magnesium, iron, and zinc, and in lots of cases having one or two vitamins, they will contribute to a balanced eating regimen and help prevent the onset of horrible diseases like scurvy or rickets.
Pine needle tea is a widely known and traditional fireside offering that has long been utilized by trappers and explorers to supply vitamin C when fresh fruits were simply unavailable.
Additionally, many leaves will be brewed into tasty and soothing teas or used as garnishes for salads or other foods.
Either use can function a treatment or simply flavor purposes, in each cases helping you thrive and keep your head in the sport.
At Worst, Eating the Right Leaves Might Curb Your Hunger
Just because leaves usually are not a “high value” wild edible, that doesn’t mean they aren’t price your time or effort.
Even though they don’t provide meaningful amounts of calories much of the time, consuming protected tree leaves may also help curb hunger pangs.
This will be especially helpful in survival situations where food is sparse and gnawing hunger is a distraction you possibly can in poor health afford.
And, not for nothing, every calorie helps!
Warning: Many Trees are Highly Toxic, Even Deadly!
But, while some tree leaves will be an asset or perhaps a lifesaver, others will be genuinely lethal.
It’s imperative to know which of them are fit for human consumption and which of them usually are not: Incorrect identification will result in serious health issues, and even minor problems can turn deadly if you find yourself already in a nasty way.
When doubtful, err on the side of caution and avoid or search for trees that you may positively ID as protected.
The Following Common Trees are Safe to Eat
The following species are among the most typical trees around, and all have leaves which are fit for human consumption.
The rule of thumb is that you need to at all times try to seek out the most recent, greenest, tenderest leaves for consumption; older, mature or dead leaves are tougher to digest and have less nutrients to supply.
1. Birch
Birch trees are commonly found across the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.
Easily spotted due to their distinctive white bark, birch leaves are barely sweet or else have a bracing minty flavor, and will be boiled or consumed raw. Great as tea or in a salad!
2. Beech
Beech trees predominantly grow in temperate regions throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. The leaves are typically light green, with recent growth being a vivid green color.
All have a rather bitter taste when eaten raw (normally a nasty sign, but okay on this case). However, when cooked slowly over low heat they tackle a milder, more palatable flavor.
3. Sugar Maple
The Sugar Maple is native to the hardwood forests of eastern Canada and the northern parts of the United States.
Most famous (and loved) for his or her sap which produces delectable maple syrup, their leaves are edible also.
They’re best when young and tender, with a flavor that’s mildly sweet and nutty. One of the very best edible leaves around.
4. Sassafras
Sassafras trees are mainly present in the eastern parts of North America. The leaves have a novel, fragrant flavor that’s often described as a mixture between woody, citrusy and root beer-like.
Traditionally, sassafras leaves have been utilized in all styles of drinks and other recipes. Good for making tea, and a superb option for eating if you happen to can stomach the taste.
5. Mulberry
Mulberry trees are widely distributed across warmer regions of the globe. The leaves are quite bland in taste or mildly tart, but will be eaten safely raw or cooked.
They’re commonly utilized in teas or as complement ingredients on account of their high nutrient content.
6. Chinese Elm
The Chinese Elm, also generally known as the Lacebark Elm, is native to East Asia and plenty of parts of the Pacific Rim. The small, dark green leaves a gentle leafy flavor not unlike lettuce.
They will be eaten raw or cooked, and are commonly utilized in various cuisines in salads or as garnishes.
These Trees are Poisonous and Must be Avoided
Unlike the trees above, eating the leaves, or some other parts, of those trees can kill you. Some of them are lethally toxic. Learn them, and avoid them!
1. Yew
Yews are evergreen trees native to varied regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and located in lots of subspecies across the globe.
They contain a toxic compound called taxine, which could cause dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, or worse if ingested. All parts of the tree are poisonous. Yews will be deadly for each humans and animals.
2. Cherry
Cherry trees are known for his or her beautiful blossoms, enticing fragrance, and delicious fruit. Many species are found worldwide.
However, unlike those wonderful fruits their leaves, stems, bark, and seeds all contain cyanogenic glycosides that turn into deadly hydrogen cyanide when ingested.
Bad news! Eating large amounts of the leaves, especially in the event that they’re wilted or crushed, can result in symptoms like difficulty respiratory, increased heart rate, and fatal seizures.
3. Horse Chestnut
The Horse Chestnut tree, native to parts of Southeast Europe but found throughout much of Europe and the Northern US, accommodates a toxin called aesculin.
This toxic compound is present in all parts of the tree, but is especially concentrated within the seeds and is very toxic.
Ingesting even a small amount could cause nausea, abdominal pain, and severe vomiting, while larger doses will be lethal.
4. Manchineel
The stuff of literal nightmares. Considered one of the vital dangerous trees in all of the world, the borderline demonic Manchineel is found across Florida, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. All parts of this tree contain strong toxins.
Its sap causes skin blisters, and even coming into contact with rainwater that has touched it’s going to cause blistering and hives.
Eating its small, enticing, apple-like fruit will cause burning pain, major digestive problems, and potentially fatal complications.
Any contact with the eyes can result in temporary or everlasting blindness. ID and avoid in any respect costs!
5. Black Locust
Black Locust trees, most typical in southeastern United States, contain the toxin robitin, a kind of lectin.
The bark, leaves, and particularly the seeds could cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps if ingested. Death is rare, but possible in cases of severe poisoning.
6. Rhododendrons
Rhododendrons are widely distributed across Asia, North America, and Europe. All contain grayanotoxins, present of their leaves, nectar, and pollen.
Consumption will lead to symptoms resembling vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and heart arrhythmia. In extreme cases, it might probably potentially prove fatal.
You Must Take the Time to Learn What Trees are Safe in Your Region
To further complicate your seek for edible leaves, some edible trees have dangerous lookalikes you’ll have to rule out.
For instance, consider the sugar maple tree above. Known for its sweet sap and leaves, it has a potentially harmful lookalike called the Norway maple.
While not outright deadly, the sap of the Norway maple accommodates toxins that can cause mild skin irritation or seriously upset your stomach.
Misidentifying these two could mean the difference between a welcome edible and bad response.
Similarly, lurch trees can sometimes be confused with cherry trees. There are many other examples besides for every kind of other species.
Accordingly, an intensive, intimate knowledge of what trees are protected and edible and what trees are to be avoided in your area is paramount if you need to rely on them in a survival situation.
