Is Tree Bark Edible? Safe & Nutritious Wild Food For Adventurers!

Last month, I went on a wildlife adventure and for the first time, I tried tree bark cookies! First, I was hesitating but after taking a few bites, I got it as a safe and nutritious wild food.

Is tree bark edible? Yes, tree bark is 100% safe to eat and contains a high amount of starches and sugars.

Actually, tree bark is a life savior for those who love to enjoy wildlife. As it contains lots of calories and provides energy for the human body, tree barks help to survive when you’re starving on an adventure.

Still confused about eating tree bark? Scroll through our detailed guide to get a quick clarification.

Is Tree Bark Edible or Not?

Yes, tree bark is not only edible but also rich in starches and sugars.

When we hear the word tree bark, the first thing that goes across our mind is the crusty, corky gray part of the bark. As we always see the outer part of the bark, it is usual to believe, how could we even think to eat this crust.

But, we are not talking about this hard and corky gray part. The tree bark we’re saying is edible is actually the inner layer of the cambium, lying right next to the woody part.

Now, this cambium layer is a rich source of starches and sugars and contains around 450-600 calories per lbs. It also packs minerals and fiber that can keep your bones and brain working properly. So, if you’re starving or need some energy on a wildlife adventure, tree bark could be a lifesaver.

Which Trees Have Edible Bark?

Tree bark may be a good source of food in survival situations but you can’t eat bark from any trees. In fact, the bark of some poisonous varieties like Cherry or Eucalyptus can cause serious health issues.

But, there are lots of trees including Pine, Spruce, Birch, Elm, Hemlock, and so on which bark is edible and can work as nutritious wild food on your adventure. Let’s dig into these trees in detail.

Siberian Elm

It comes with a little sweet bark which is rich in sugars. If you add water to the bark, it will make a gelatinous substance. In fact, Siberian elm doesn’t have any bitterness or bad aftertaste. As a result, you can try these bark in need of nutritious wild food.

Pine

Pine trees are an extremely common source of bark. As most of the pine species are edible, you can easily get a pine tree while on a wild adventure.

Besides, the pine cambium is like chewing gum which is ideal for raw eating. The only downside, some varieties are a little toxic and dangerous to eat.

Spruce

The spruce tree comes with a thick and soft cambium layer which contains a proper amount of sugars and starches. After harvesting the bark, you can eat it raw. In fact, these barks are easy to consume and digest.

Also, you can eat spruce tips as it is rich in vitamins and minerals.

Birch

It comes with a black or yellow inner bark which is difficult to separate from the outer bark. That’s why you can’t eat birch bark raw. But, the bark tastes sweet if you add it into the soup, cookies, and bread.

Also, this birch bark offers a substantial amount of calories that help you at wildlife adventure.

Does Tree Bark Taste Good?

The taste of the tree bark completely depends on the tree species. For example, species like Siberian Elm have little sweet bark which is rich in sugars. Besides, these barks don’t have any bitterness or bad aftertaste.

Also, barks of Birch tree taste sweet and you can add them into the soup, cookies, or bread. It is not only about the flavor but these barks also add nutritional value.

On the other hand, the pine cambium is like chewing gum which is ideal for raw eating. It may taste like a resinous flavor but is rich in nutrients and sugar.

How to Harvest Tree Bark?

If you want to harvest the tree bark, you have to remove the crusty and corky gray part of the bark. As this part is a little hard, remove the crust slowly.

Once you remove the outer bark, you have access to the edible inner layer of the cambium. Then, remove the white nutritious cambium for consumption.

As the cambium lying right next to the woody part, never go harder. Otherwise, you have to bite the hard woody part of the tree.

How To Prepare Bark For Eating

If it’s possible, you better eat the raw tree bark. As barks contain starches and sugars, they can provide energy for the human body and help to survive when you’re starving in a forest.

But, if the bark is a little hard for raw eating, you should go for boil or fry. Take a pot and pour the pot with fresh water. Next, boil the barks for a few minutes to break down the tough fibers. It will help to digest the barks quickly.

In fact, you can fry the barks to get a texture like potato chips. Now, to fry the tree barks, take a few tablespoons of oil in the frying pan. Cut the barks into small pieces and fry them for a few minutes. Then, you can add some flavor to make your bark chips tasty.

Can I Make Bread or Cookies From Bark?

Yes, you can make bread or cookies simply by grinding tree bark.

First of all, heat these bark to remove excess liquid. Next, grind these bark to make bark powder. Then, use fresh water to make dough from the power.

After that, you can transform the dough into simple bread or cookies. Finally, bake these bread and cookies to make a healthy dish while enjoying nature.

Warp Up

Finally, we are at the end of the detailed article. As we tried to cover all the related information, we hope this guide will help to clarify that tree barks are 100% edible.

Besides, we have added some techniques which will help to harvest and prepare bark when you’re starving on an adventure.

Now, as these tree barks are a rich source of energy and nutrition, they will help to enrich your diet. So, take edible tree barks to maintain a balanced diet while on a long-term wildlife adventure!