Closer to my house I have mostly Elders, Hawthorns and Linden (Tilia) Trees. I have chosen to talk about Linden because the house is surrounded by them, front and back. These trees improve greatly the appearance of the area and have great beauty but, mostly, they purify the air. These trees are very high and majestic but impossible to forage due to pollution: located in a parking lot and in one of the most driven roads of Amsterdam Niew West.
The ones located right in front of my window, and the first thing I see when I wake up, are homes from the last 3 years to 2 nests of Magpie couples and that year’s babies – ‘’Hello Mr. Magpie, How’s your wife and kids?”, and from time to time some parakeets. They also attract bees that like to booze around between them and the flowers on our balconies.
Tilia makes a wonderful tea and has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antispasmodic, hypotensive, nervine, demulcent and sedative properties and it’s well known for its honey. Bark can be used to make baskets and fishnets.
I wanted to forage and dry some from Park Frankendael to use in winter but now I am late: next year! 😊