Once I write in regards to the makes use of of invasives, I can normally rely on getting a variety of hate. So I’ll say this up entrance: I’m totally acquainted with the terrible facet of the Siberian Elm, Ulmus pumila. It invades inexorably, grows indefatigably, sucks up groundwater wanted by our stunning native cottonwoods, and is usually thought to be a trash tree. It’s modified your complete ecology of the Rio Grande bosque. I get all that.
However right here’s the factor: whereas pamphlets and on-line websites are dedicated to how one can battle the Siberian elm, the battle is over and this tree has already gained the struggle. It’s all over the place, and it can’t be eradicated. In order I see it, we’d as effectively have a look at whether or not we will use it effectively. And since I solely write about my very own small dwelling floor, I’m not taking a look at how one can use tons of of acres of it effectively, however how one can apply it to a half acre. It grows lustily even in our dry desert local weather, and there are massive areas the place it’s the solely inexperienced factor round, so I really feel a sure gratitude to it. However I don’t permit it inside my yard as a result of I would like different bushes there, and since as quickly as I step exterior my gate, it’s all over the place.
For me, its meals makes use of are restricted. I’ve written earlier than in regards to the edible samaras, or seed circumstances, and I gained’t say extra right here besides that they’ve a nice inexperienced gentle style and are produced in unbelievable portions each spring, and the chickens like them as a lot as I do. As I get additional into permaculture I’m experimenting extra with tree leaves which have culinary makes use of, however I can’t discover something a lot about Siberian elm leaves besides on the fantastic web site Eat the Weeds, the place I discover that the younger leaves are edible cooked. I admit that this doesn’t sound enterprising on my half, however I haven’t tried it but. I’ve so many different inexperienced issues to eat that it’s going to most likely be a while earlier than I make this experiment. I can’t discover any dietary evaluation even about their use as fodder, though I did discover one reference stating that they is perhaps a possible supply of higher-protein forage for animals.
However with regards to nutritious forage, I usually let my beloved outdated dairy goat Magnolia make her personal selections. And there’s no query that Siberian elm is her favourite meals and one of many few meals that she by no means will get uninterested in. So over time I’ve been letting Siberian elms develop up alongside my longest fenceline, and reducing them again above the highest of the fence. New branches develop at astounding velocity under the cuts, and Maggie chows them down as an virtually unique weight loss program all summer season lengthy. She is of course on the skinny facet, however loses no weight in the course of the 6-7 months of her elm weight loss program, and her enthusiasm by no means fails. The standard life-span of a home goat is 9/11 years and she or he is pushing 13, so I don’t assume it’s completed her a little bit of hurt. The feed is free, as native because it will get, and provides me loads of principally undesirable train with the reducing and hauling. The trunks occupy the area alongside the new baking hell of the open area, and I don’t give them any water so that they’re surviving on what they’ll discover on their very own. There’s little question that they give the impression of being scraggly between cuttings, however I can tolerate that to see Maggie so completely satisfied. And if I ever get hungry sufficient I’ll attempt consuming them myself.
The hens additionally love the leaves when younger and tender. They could eat the harder late summer season leaves if lower up, however I don’t hassle when there are such a lot of different greens for them.
I’m largely speaking about animal feed right here, however at any time when I allude to doable human makes use of I really feel compelled to say a couple of common sense issues about wild and unfamiliar meals:
1. By no means assume that as a result of an animal can eat it, you possibly can eat it. Goats specifically are in a position to eat some vegetation which are poisonous to different animals together with people. Magnolia’s metabolism is wired otherwise than mine.
2. By no means assume that as a result of one half is edible, the entire plant is edible. Black locust blossoms and elder flowers are scrumptious, however the leaves and stems are poisonous. There is no such thing as a substitute for learning dependable authorities.
3. By no means assume that as a result of different individuals together with dependable authorities can eat it, you possibly can eat it. Take a look at a small quantity of any new meals, and wait a day earlier than attempting extra.