Black Walnut
Black walnut tree
Black walnut trees are found throughout the South. They are very large trees, growing to 50 feet tall, and have leaves that are divided. The thick outer shell of the walnut needs to be removed to get to the edible nut, which is usually ripe in the fall. Then nuts are very high in protein and oil.
Pine Trees
Pine needles
Pine trees are recognizable by their odor, gooey sap and needle-like leaves. All species of pine have edible seeds, which can be eaten raw or cooked. The young male pine cones can be harvested in spring and can either be boiled or baked. Peeling off the outer bark of your saplings will reveal a juicy and sweet inner bark, which you can chew.
Oak Trees
Oak tree
Oaks are classified into two main groups: red and white. They are large trees with alternate leaves and acorns as their fruit. All parts of the oak are edible, though they are often bitter because of the tannic acid. White oak acorns usually taste better than red. Soak the acorns for several days to remove the bitterness or boil them for 20 minutes. Pour off the water and eat them raw, grind them into flour or roast them.
Sea Grape
Sea Grape
Sea Grape is a tree that can grow up to 40 feet tall and has spreading branches and thick heart-shaped leaves. It is found in the tropical or warmer regions of the country, usually by coastal areas. The green grapes grow in clusters and can be eaten raw or made into a jam.
Red Mulberry
Mulberry fruit
Red Mulberry trees are dense and busy, reaching a height of 50 feet. The tree is deciduous and the leaves are ovate with tips that are pointy. The purple to red fruits appear spring through autumn and can be eaten raw or cooked. You can also store the berries and eat them days later.
Hackberry
Hackberry bark
Hackberry trees can reach a height of 30 feet. The bark is gray and ridden with warts and ridges. The tree will bear small, round berries that fall to the ground as they ripen. The berries that fall to the ground are edible.
