7 Edible Tree Leaves For Survival Foraging

Most foragers look for fruits and berries they can eat. But, there are also edible tree leaves which can keep you alive in a worst-case scenario.

These take no preparation, and can provide you with enough nutrition to stay alive.

Here are seven common tree leaves that you eat.

1. Maple Leaves

Maple leaves have a distinct five-lobed shape, making them easy to spot.

You can pick maple leaves off the tree itself. 

But remember to leave plenty of leaves behind, so you don't damage the tree or stunt its growth.

Maple leaves taste bitter. So, you'll want to boil them for at least five minutes. This helps to improve the taste. Additionally, maple leaves make an excellent addition to salads. And some foragers like to eat their maple leaves with a little powdered sugar or syrup.

Adding some sweetness to the leaves will make them taste significantly better.

2. Birch Leaves

Foraging for birch leaves and eating them is an age-old tradition in many parts of the world.

It's something that native tribes in the United States and Canada have practiced for centuries. And, birch leaves were historically a food source in Russia and parts of Scandinavia.

Why were these leaves so popular with early civilizations all around the world?

The answer is simple.

Birch leaves are rich in vitamins A, B and C. They also contain magnesium, iron and zinc.

So, birch leaves are both a great survival food, and an excellent source for essential nutrients.

The most commonly eaten birch leaves are from the White Birch (Betula papyrifera), Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) and the European Birch (Betulapendula). Birch trees are easily  recognizable by their white, papery bark and slender, triangular leaves.

You can harvest and eat birch leaves at any time of year. But, the leaves are at or near their nutritional peak in late summer and early fall.

Once you’ve collected the leaves, you can either eat them as is, or cook them. 

To cook birch leaves, simply rinse them in cold water and then steam them for about five minutes. You can also be boil the leaves if you want.

3. Mulberry Leaves

Like birch, there's a rich and lengthy history behind foraging for mulberry leaves.

Even the ancient Greeks wrote about picking and eating these leaves!

Mulberry leaves have a distinct heart-shaped appearance and are usually dark green in color. When harvesting them, you'll want to pick each leaf off the tree itself.

Mulberry leaves are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. 

You can use them to make your own herbal tea. Or, as an ingredient in soups and salads.

4. Pine Needles

I've talked about this subject before. But foraging for pine needles is a great, year-round activity. And, brewing needles in a tea can provide you with plenty of vitamin C.

When it comes to foraging for pine needles, you’ll want to look for the youngest needles, which tend to be greener in color.

You’ll want to clip the needles with scissors, making sure to leave the base of the needle intact. This will ensure that the needle remains alive and can continue to produce more needles in the future.

While you can eat raw pine needles, they taste better when you brew them into a tea.

5. Willow Leaves

Willow trees are best known for their bark, which can relieve pain and reduce fevers.

But, willow leaves are also edible. And, they can help keep you alive in an all-or-nothing survival situation.

Like the bark, willow leaves have health benefits. Mainly, being high in vitamin C.

And while the leaves are bitter, you can mix them into a salad or brew them into a tea. This helps with the flavor, while still giving you the nutrients you need.

When foraging for willow leaves, you'll want to harvest ones that are deep green in color.

6. Beech Leaves

Beech trees are easily to recognize thanks to their dark, smooth bark and pointed, oval-shaped leaves.

Another benefit of foraging for beech trees is that they tend to grow in dense stands.

If you can spot one, you’ll likely be able to find more.

Beech leaves are often used in teas, as they contain tannins that can help soothe an upset stomach. The leaves can also be added to salads. And some foragers like to crush them up into a delicious and all-natural pesto.

7. Walnut Leaves

Foraging for walnut leaves is a great way to obtain some of nature's most potent and healing herbs.

Walnut leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals. 

And, they also contain powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

If you're looking to forage for walnut leaves, the best time to do so is during the late spring and early summer months. This is when the leaves are at their most tender, so they'll be easier to collect.

Walnut leaves can be used to make a tea that has a pleasant nutty flavor and is believed to have many health benefits like improving digestion and boosting the immune system.

Conclusion

It's always smart to familiarize yourself with local vegetation. 

There are hundreds of edible plants, many of which will grow in an area near you.

By knowing about common, easy-to-find trees with edible leaves, you always have a food source to fallback on. 

Not to mention the medicinal properties that many of these trees harbor.

Good luck foraging!