As much as we hope to always be within walking distance of restaurants or food stores, there will be a time when we would have to resort to nature’s bounty.  Fruits, berries, and nuts are popular with both hikers and picnic-goers.

Photo Courtesy of Survival Outdoor Life

But word of caution before you stuff yourself silly:  Not all delicious-looking things that grow on trees are good for you.

Photo courtesy of Outdoor Life

Fortunately, the good people at “Survival Skills” at “Outdoor Life” have a few guides and hints.  Tim MacWelch wrote two articles with some tips on which plants are edible:

•    “Have positive identification with a good book, like Peterson’s Field Guide to Wild Edible Plants.

•    Know the poisonous nuts like Buckeye and Horse Chestnut, and the bad berries like Pokeweed.

•    Don’t collect near roads, dumps, power lines, train tracks or other contaminated areas.

•    Eat only small amounts of plants that are new to you, after you have positively identified it.

•    Just try one at a time so you can tell which plant you are allergic to, in case of allergic reaction.

•    And last but not least – if you are in doubt, DON’T eat it!“

Most importantly as MacWelch puts it:  “At the end of the day, the best policy for dealing with berries is to learn each genus and species for its own benefits and dangers. This means no shortcuts; you have to do the homework.“  It is best to have someone who is knowledgeable about the region and can tell what can be eaten or not.  Learning from this person is important instead of trying out random berries by yourselves.

Stay safe!