Eating bark

[finnthered]

Is there any tree that grows edible bark? Tried peach tree, wasn't any good.

[LeeB]

Pray tell, why do you want to eat tree bark?  ???

[low_48]

I wouldn't suggest that you go around sampling without doing some more research. Horse people are the most concerned, so do your research in that direction. Willow bark is supposed to duplicate the effects of aspirin.

Cherry relatives include apricot, plum, peach, chokecherry and other cherry types. Like apples, these trees produce chemicals that metabolize into cyanide. With cherries, the chemical occurs throughout the plant and is most concentrated in wilted or fallen leaves.

For small children and most pets, a stomachache results from eating a leaf or two. But if a large volume of leaves is consumed in relation to a small body, cyanide poisoning can occur. Symptoms include darkened gums and urine, breathing difficulties, weak pulse and seizures.

[Kbeitz]

Chewed on Sassafras and birch already...

[Runningalucas]

From what I've read inner bark was a 'settler' staple.  It's been a long time, but found through an internet search a site that listed out good, and not so good inner bark.  I think White Pine was one that had inner bark used for making flour.   I know a lot of folks actually ingest pine pollen to boost testosterone. 

[Don P]

i don't know, the running nose and weepy eyes kind of ruin the effect  :D

[coxy]

black birch bark from small saplings is good but better in the spring time much sweeter  ;D

[petefrom bearswamp]

I seem to remember a reference to a tribe of Indians called bark eaters.
Must have been lousy hunters.

[TKehl]

Inner bark of Slippery Elm is edible.  Can make an oatmeal type thing from it. 

Not something I would grow just for that.

[Roxie]

Welcome to the forum Finnthered and Runningalucas.   

[WV Sawmiller]

Pete,

   I have a placard saying "Vegetarian - Old Indian word for poor hunter."

[finnthered]

Alright, thanks guys, bit of an odd question I know but one that's been bugging me.

[Ox]

I remembered reading about the "tree eaters" indian tribe in NY state somewhere.  Apparently all the trees around them were stripped bare as far up as they could go.  It's the inner bark that's edible in many, if not most, trees.

I tried this this past spring with some fresh red pine that the bark slipped off easily.  I peeled off the inner layer and popped some in my mouth and chewed on it a bit.  It was slightly sweet, believe it or not.  I even had the kids and wife try a little and they agreed.  I guess you can fry it in a pan for a crispy chip-like texture.

[LeeB]

I think some oriental cultures are bark eaters. Not sure if the eat meow or not.

[Gearbox]

In the northwest Cascara is used for laxative . Beaver eat Aspen not that I would .

[BradMarks]

LeeB:   Talk about the cat's meow!

[SwampDonkey]

Well, I'm wondering if bark is confused with fungal growths on the trunk, like chaga. They harvest it here for tea, off birch trees that are in serious decline. I think I would rather make pemmican: smoked meat, with dried berries and lard. Much more sustaining. ;D

[ppine]

Natives in the West used ponderosa pine cambium in the winter as a staple food.  It is possible to visit some old growth ppines that show the marks of repeated bark gathering.  Horses were often fed cottonwood bark in the winter.

[SwampDonkey]

I've seen horses here strip the bark off aspen trees during the winter. These were 12-16" diameter trees in the yard.