A favourite of porcupines, hemlock is a tree that’s beneficial to countless wildlife. It also has many edible, medicinal and craft uses. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) can be found in moist hardwood forests. I know people hereabouts with a mature hemlock forest for a backyard. On the 100 acre I frequent, I’ve had to go … [Read more…]
Around the world the most popular cinquefoils are tormentil and silverweed, neither of which are in Haliburton, Ontario. You can find at least seven species of Potentilla in our area of Central Ontario, with varying levels of edibility and medicinal quality. In my herbal library the popular cinquefoils (Potentilla spp.) are the Pacific silverweeds (P. … [Read more…]
Basswood (Tilia americana) is also called bee-tree, lime-tree, and linden*. It’s an amazing woodcarving material, and those familiar with just that aspect might be surprised at basswood’s edible and medicinal qualities! Plus, bees! *It’s not the same tree as European Linden but the uses are mirrored. Bee lovers, hear, hear – Basswood blooms are a … [Read more…]