Trees for survival

by Winyan Staz
(WA state)

I wish to add some more information on the use of trees for survival as they are good to know.

Some of the uses of the red Cedar that I forgot to include in my last post on trees are that you can make a tincture from the fronds of the tree that is a topical antifungal medicine. The roots make a good emergency bow drill string for making fires and along with the roots of fir trees, you can also use them for cordage.

e should all remember that the inner barks of ALL deciduous trees (trees that drop their leaves in the fall) which is called the Cambrian layer are eatable. It is also good to know some of them are also medicinal. For example, the inner bark of the willow makes a great tea for pain relief similar to asprin.

The yellowish, sweet-smelling sticky sap of the cottonwood tree, also known as "balm of gilead", has been used for centuries to treat a lot of different skin troubles, such as small cuts, bruises, rashes and even minor burns. You can use it right from the buds if need be, but it would be best to just google the recipes to make your own salve BEFORE you go to the woods and need it as they are easy to find.

Make the time now to learn more about the plants and trees in your area, and you will look at the world with new eyes.

Cambium bark as food

by Charles McKinney
(Indiana)

The cambium bark of the pines, poplar, aspen, willow, hickory, maple and the mulberry can be peeled during the months of May to the end of August. From September to the end of April you will probably have to beat the bark to loosen it before the cambium will come free of the wood.

The bark can sometimes be eaten raw depending on how tough it is. If too tough to eat raw it can be dried near the fire and then ground into powder and used as flour or as the base of soup.

The cambium can also be cut or torn into strips and boiled like spaghetti.

This is indeed lean cuisine for the lean times!