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HORSE CHESTNUT
'CHEESERS'
Two Conkers in a shell
were known as 'Cheesers' because of their flat sides. Not edible. |
SWEET
CHESTNUT is a favourite roasted at Christmastide. In the forest the
chestnuts do not fully mature every year. Sought out by squirrels
and small mammals. |
HOPS
for flavouring (and barley) were grown in Hainault Forest before
disafforestation and sent to the breweries in London. A few plants
are still found in the forest. |
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HAWTHORN berries are a
favourite with Redwings and Fieldfares who visit the forest in the
winter months. The fruit can be made into a jelly. |
WHITEBEAM is related to the Rowan and its fruits are edible. |
ROWAN berries are also sought after by our winter
visitors Fieldfares and Redwings. Rowan jelly accompanies lamb or
game dishes. |
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ROSE HIPS
High in Vitamin C they
were collected by schoolchildren during the Second Word War to
make Rose Hip Syrup. |
LONDON PLANE
The ball-like seed heads
remain on the tree, falling in the spring to release the seeds. |
BLACKBERRIES
A
favourite fruit eaten fresh, or made into purée, or jam. A source of
food for birds, mammals, wasps, butterflies and other insects |
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ENGLISH or PEDUNCULATE OAK
The acorns of
Pedunculate Oak are attached to a long stalk. Pigs were released
into the Forest to forage for them. Known as Pannage. |
TURKEY OAK
The acorn cup is covered
in long scales, and has a very short stalk.
As with the other acorns
it is eaten by Jays, squirrels and small mammals. |
HOLM OAK
The Holm oak is an
evergreen tree, and the leaves are unlike all other species of oak
in the forest. The acorns are attached to a stalk and the cup has
fine scales. |
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ALDER CONES
In
autumn, next years green cones are evident, whilst black cones if
present have already released their seeds. |
SLOES, the fruit of Blackthorn. A bitter fruit can be used in mixed
hedgerow jams, or to flavour gin. |
ELDERBERRIES are used in
wine making, and there is a French jam recipe. |
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WOODY NIGHTSHADE also
known as BITTERSWEET with its bright red berries climbs in the scrub
area and path edges. The berries are POISONOUS. |
WHITE BRYONY
Related to the Cucumber, the berries of this hedgerow climber are
VERY POISONOUS |
MULBERRY
Although related to the fig, the Mulberry produces succulent fruits
which can be eaten raw or made into jam. |
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SPINDLE berries are found on the path from the Common to Cabin Hill.
They are pink with orange seeds. They are POISONOUS and strongly
purgative. |
BUCKTHORN berries like the Spindle (left) are found on the path from
the Common to Cabin Hill and are also strongly purgative. Both these
berries would have been known to Old Dido a herbalist who lived near
Sheepwater at the turn of the 20th century. |
CRAB APPLE
were a food source for
deer when they once roamed the Forest. Now used to make Crab Apple
Jelly and as a source of Pectin for jam making |
