Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To steal some elderflower sprigs from this tree?

54 replies

WanderingNotLost · 18/05/2017 21:15

Walking home this evening I passed this enormous elderflower tree in full bloom. It smelled so good! I've been wanting to make some home-made elderflower champagne for ages but haven't found any growing near me. I knocked on the door of the house whose garden it was, but there was no answer, no car in the drive- I'm not even sure the house is occupied, it certainly didn't look like anyone was taking care of it. WIBU to pinch some sprigs?

To steal some elderflower sprigs from this tree?
OP posts:
blankmind · 19/05/2017 02:39

Don't pick it from there, it will be polluted with traffic fumes.

Go into the countryside and help yourself to some that grow by public footpaths, away from roads.

Nicky2468 · 19/05/2017 03:58

I agree with Blankmind - definitely wouldn't pick them from anyway near a road. I've made elderflower cordial lots of times in the past and found lovely trees on walks, away from roads and picked them! But to add my view on whether it's right to pick from someone's garden, I think I'd go back a couple more times to try and catch the owners so you can ask or speak to a friendly neighbour of theirs maybe (as a last resort).

user1491572121 · 19/05/2017 05:43

Pedro it's a plant which can be used though....not just a weed. What if the owner was planning on using the flowers themselves but had not picked them yet?

Trifleorbust · 19/05/2017 05:45

It's not your tree. I would be really angry if you cut stuff off my property. Who do you think you are?

HalfPintPixie · 19/05/2017 06:06

Op I think you are being very reasonable- you've tried several ways to get permission and/or reimburse. I'm surprised how venemously angry people get about their trees!
I have a tree like this that overhangs a path, and if I saw someone picking from it without being on my property I don't see how I could be angry- if it's that precious, it shouldn't be all over the street!

Good luck op - hope you figure out if anyone is there!

Spadequeen · 19/05/2017 06:09

It's all very well people saying yeah go ahead it's not problem, it's only 20 flower heads etc. What's about if 5 other people fancied taking some, or 10 of 20?

There is plenty of elderflower trees in common areas, unless you have permission from the owner, don't take from their tree

Igneococcus · 19/05/2017 06:13

I wouldn't pick it from so close to a busy road. can you look for one in a better location? The recipe I use only needs about 10-15 heads, depending on size.
If you do find some pick it in the morning, ideally when it is sunny, as the scent changes throughout the day, and once your elderflower champagne is ready, on no account open the bottle inside the house, not unless you really like cleaning.

DrizzleHair · 19/05/2017 06:19

I'm pretty sure that legally anything which overhangs into the pavement is fair game for anyone to prune. I think you have to offer the pruning back, but if they're not in then you can't offer.

OP I'd crack on.

Thanks for reminding me is elderflower season. I start maternity leave after today, I'm going hunting!

Trifleorbust · 19/05/2017 06:20

I think you are being very reasonable- you've tried several ways to get permission and/or reimburse

You get permission BEFORE you take something. This isn't an unavoidable situation where the OP has no choice but to take first and reimburse later (like she might do if she were starving). It is sheer entitlement to say, "Well, I did knock and you weren't in!" Right, don't take my stuff then.

MissBeehiving · 19/05/2017 06:37

Elderflower is a weed! If it makes you feel any better the landowner has a legal responsibility to make sure that there plants don't encroach on the highway so you doing them a favour. How very public spirited 😄

MissBeehiving · 19/05/2017 06:37

there their

HalfPintPixie · 19/05/2017 06:44

Trifleorbust - as far as I can tell, the op hasn't actually taken anything yet, so surely they are still in the permission-getting stage? You're being prematurely angry.

MyOtherProfile · 19/05/2017 06:50

You've tried to make contact, you'd only be taking a fraction and the plant is clearly overhanging the pavement so I'd go for it. Except I wouldn't really as it will be polluted. Are you sure there's nowhere near you that has it wild but further from a road? It grows all over the place here so I usually get some down by the river.

AwaywiththePixies27 · 19/05/2017 07:34

I wouldn't until I'd got express permission from the owner no, which you haven't yet got.

There is a local woods near us that is always full of elderflower, and bluebells, and wild garlic. It smells lovely at this time of year. You'd come home with gallons of the stuff, never mind pints.

I always wouldn't post a fiver through the door. How much does elderflower cordial cost in the first place and how much were you looking to make from it? I.e in bottles not monetary terms.

lelapaletute · 19/05/2017 07:38

Do it!!! Elders grow everywhere and prolifically, they won't miss enough heads to fill a couple of pint glasses just from where you can reach from the road. And elderflower wine is yummy (never tried the champagne, always worried it would explode in the cupboard!!!) Good luck!

NeoTrad · 19/05/2017 07:40

No, of course you cannot just help yourself to someone else's plant!

lelapaletute · 19/05/2017 07:42

I also agree that if you let 'your' garden grow outside of your property others should be allowed to enjoy its fruits (within reason). Should I not cut back the brambles that overhang my garden because the root starts on the other side of the fence? Honestly people are being very precious, it's some overhanging elder not someone's prized cultivar roses!

Enb76 · 19/05/2017 07:48

I have a a sambucca nigra specifically so I can make pink cordial and champagne. I personally wouldn't mind if you took a bunch of flowerheads. I have masses.

Bedraggledmumoftwo · 19/05/2017 07:56

I made some last year, and the first one I found was on a hedge outside someone's house, but after I had identified it it was everywhere! In the next few weeks all the parkland will be full of it so you can get it from a non roadside location!

Justdontgetitatall · 19/05/2017 09:26

Just cut as low down as possible x

Lightship · 19/05/2017 09:38

Honestly, OP, elder trees are absolutely everywhere -- they root themselves and take off like rockets.. Ten to one, you'll find multiple elders in the nearest field or park, and won't have to worry about whether they belong to someone, or about contamination by passing cars.

Original poster
WanderingNotLost · 19/05/2017 11:01

It's a good point about the pollution, I hadn't thought of that. I'll get the tube out to somewhere country-ish this weekend and do a bit of foraging!
So... any tips for taking a cutting if I do find some? I would so love my own tree...

OP posts:
Igneococcus · 19/05/2017 11:09

We have one at home which came from a cutting and I'm planning to take a cutting from a pink variety (not in a private garden) as well. I would do several cuttings, early spring is best, take softwood cuttings, take off the leaves from the stem that will go into the pot, make sure there are leaves left on the top, put into compost, water regularly, cross fingers.

Palomb · 19/05/2017 11:38

It's over hanging the fence so imo you can take what you like. It's hardly as if you'd be stealing it from someone's garden!

I made elderflower champagne a couple of years ago - very nice but SO SWEET it was undrinkable. I'd love to see your recipe :)

Original poster
WanderingNotLost · 19/05/2017 11:39

What are softwood cuttings? Are they the little twig-like branches?

Palomb I've posted a link to the recipe somewhere on the thread

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread