Foraging for Spruce Tips

Part of my intentions for foraging for food up here in Alaska was to broaden my horizons and try some new things. Spruce tips were one of those things. Remember the trees that I dubbed Dr. Seuss trees?? Come to find out they are Black Spruce. Darn it and here I thought I found the answer to all things Seuss. Haha. There are also White Spruce up here which don't have that weird top heavy look. There are other types of Spruce which you can use interchangeably. I have the most experience with the Black spruce and the White Spruce.  

Spruce

Picea glauca (White Spruce) Picea mariana (Black Spruce)

Properties                                                   

• Analgesic

• Antifungal

• Antimicrobial

• Antiseptic

• Disinfectant

Parts Used & What it Helps With

• Inner bark

  • Made into a tea it is said to help with nausea ulcers, mouth sores and sore throats.

• Pitch

  • Used as a tonic in the springtime to purify the blood.

  • Topically it helps heal wounds, acne, etc.

• Tips

  • Like the pitch, the tips can be used topically to help heal wounds, acne, eczema, etc.

  • In tea form or steam inhalation they help with lung congestion.

  • Very high in vitamin C

  • Also high in Beta Carotene

Harvesting Tips

• Spring is the best time to gather them when they are bright green in color.

• As when harvesting anything from nature be sure and pick far away from roads and any other pollutants.

• When picking off the tips, be sure to harvest only the "side" tips. See how they come in groups of three? That tippy top one is where the tree will continue to grow, so picking it will stunt its growth.

• Be sure and harvest only what you need, and don't over-harvest one tree.

• Each tree will taste a little different, so taste test while picking :)

• You will want to remove that little brown "paper" from the end of each tip. I find it easiest to pick it off as I go, instead of later.

What to do with Spruce

• Make a tea with the fresh or dried tips (best gathered in the spring, but anytime works)

• Make a salve using the pitch

• Make a jelly with the tips

• Make a tea with the inner bark

• Make a cough syrup with the tips (in combination with other herbs)

• Make pickled spruce tip "capers"

• Make a lovely spruce hydrosol