Tree Identification = Elder

I have been learning tree identification quite alot lately and the elder tree is on of the most easiest for me to spot because of the easily identifiable fruits (which you can make into wine as shown below).

Also you can make sure its elder if you break a branch in half it should be soft, white and pithy in the middle.

Nettle cordage take one

Well it ended up being more like nettle string as i didnt collect nearly enough nettles but it was valuble practice.

Carefully slide your finger and thumb upwards to remove all leaves and hairs (i used a glove) and gently sqeeze the stem all the way down and split open as shown

Bend the stalk upwards to break the pith inside and gently pull the outer fibres away.

You should be left with fibres like this. Allow them to dry before carrying on, i placed them on a piece of kitchen roll and let them dry out.

Once dried like above they are now ready to be rehydraded either with warm water or saliva and its ready to work with.

I took 3 pieces of the nettle fibres and plated them as shown and that is it. Not quite the method i orignally set out to do but all in all i am pretty happy my first attempt and didnt have nearly enough netlles gathered.

Crafting with mans best friend.

I spend most of my time outdoors with the dog, therefore if i'm out collecting, gathering or foraging the mutt is usually with me, took a wee pic of us resting under a tree.

Resources galore!!!!!

As with anything, you can never have enough resources when it comes to learning new skills. I use a number of websites.

Bushcraft UK (UK based bushcraft forum with members with a wealth of experience)
A/Z Bushcraft
Youtube (an extremely good source of skill videos)

Along with these and many many others that can be found with google there is a vast amount of books available. However the following two i find to be invaluable when it comes there usefulness.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Hello to all that is going to see my new blog, I thought i would start up a blog to both document my learning of bushcraft and show the skills i'v learned and tips to help and assist fellow beginners. So that being said heres i little about myself. My name is Phil i'm from northern ireland and like many i first took an interest in this from watching tv shows of Ray Mears and even Bear Grylls although the latter is more entertainment he still helped plant the seed of interest of bushcraft and survival in my head. So come with me in my journey as i try to learn as much as i can and also pass this knowledge on to fellow beginners.

Phil