Local volunteer tree. Need identification

[TyroTinker]

Found a tree just growing at my parent's place. I would like to stay native like I've always been told I have no idea what this tree is or if I should even look at it for bonsai.
I live in the Pacific Northwest


Also I do realize that it probably doesn't work well for bonsai. BUT if it isn't a terrible choice, it is free material.

 

[rodeolthr]

It appears to be our native sambucus…..very fast growing with beautiful red fruit when ripe. Allegedly the fruit is edible once cooked. They do eventually get a very woody trunk, but it would most likely require a large bonsai to fell appropriate with the leaves.

 

[GailC]

Aka, elderberry. The fruit makes good wine or jelly, terrible fresh though.
I'm thinking the trunks are hollow like bamboo, could be wrong though. Not sure how well that would work for bonsai.

 

[Bonsaicarpenter]

Trunks on elderberry aren’t hollow but, in my experience they die back easily. I grow it (not for bonsai) and had 2 decent sized trunks die all the way back to the ground this past winter.

 

[Bonsaicarpenter]

Also, leaves are large and internodes are long.

 

[RKatzin]

The heart is pithy and easy to hollow out, making it a favorite for flutes. I eat the berries right off the tree. You have to wait for them to get really ripe. Lol, they are a bit tart, but near as bad as Oregon Grape!
Really doesn't offer anything in the way of bonsai, but maybe a nice patio tree.

 

[just.wing.it]

The heart is pithy and easy to hollow out, making it a favorite for flutes. I eat the berries right off the tree. You have to wait for them to get really ripe. Lol, they are a bit tart, but near as bad as Oregon Grape!
Really doesn't offer anything in the way of bonsai, but maybe a nice patio tree.

How do you keep the birds from eating them before you?!

 

[TyroTinker]

Thanks everyone! Not a tree I will be using for bonsai but good info

 

[RKatzin]

Appeara

How do you keep the birds from eating them before you?!

Apparently, around my neck of the woods there is plenty for everyone. I know I shared a pic last fall of a juicy cluster.

 

[TN_Jim]

You can also make tea from the flowers opened/unopened. Antioxidants, etc..