Rowan tree berries

[FUDGEY]

This might sound insane, but at the back of my house I have a large plantation with hundreds of rowan trees which are fully laden at the moment with berries. Couple of questions, firstly could I harvest some of them and freeze them so I can put them out in harder times and if so when would be the best time to do it if you can freeze them ie when are they ripe? Thanks

[sleipnerofasgard]

Don't see why not, some info can be found here
Rowan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frank

[sleipnerofasgard]

Originally Posted by sleipnerofasgard

Don't see why not, some info can be found here
Rowan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frank

Interesting bit about the Waxwings


Frank

[FUDGEY]

Supposedly the tree the devil hanged his mother? You learn something new every day. Never found the bit about Waxwings, what was that. Thanks for the link, I know to gather some before the 1st frosts so that's a job on the cards.

[sleipnerofasgard]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Supposedly the tree the devil hanged his mother? You learn something new every day. Never found the bit about Waxwings, what was that. Thanks for the link, I know to gather some before the 1st frosts so that's a job on the cards.

Apparently, winter starts when the Waxwings eat the last rowan berry on the tree

Frank

[FUDGEY]

Thanks for that, that's two things I've learnt today. That's a target for this year, beautiful birds Waxwings.

[valleyforge]

Don't think freezing rowans would be very successful, as on defrosting you tend to just get an amorphous mush.

Drying would probably work much better, and the dried berries are almost as acceptable to blackbirds, thrushes, corvids, starlings, and other softbills as the fresh fruits are.

To dry effectively, I normally put these on a tray in a very low heat oven ... so that moisture is removed without cooking them ... otherwise storing them in a warm airing cupboard can work well too.

[SandyBeds]

Mr Drennan (Wild Man Wild Food - Fergus Drennan the Forager) seems to have remarkable success drying food on his window sill.

I've not tried this yet.

[larachmor]

Originally Posted by valleyforge

Don't think freezing rowans would be very successful, as on defrosting you tend to just get an amorphous mush.

I've been harvesting and freezing rowan berries for some years - and they remain perfect for winter feeding

[Morph]

Originally Posted by sleipnerofasgard

Apparently, winter starts when the Waxwings eat the last rowan berry on the tree

Frank

I think someone should tell the Waxwings. Winter must have started very late last year the Waxwings were still at it round here in mid January, we'd already had a good few falls of snow and some very hard frosts.