The Elder can grow 7 metres, rarely even upto 10 metres high. It settles on fresh, deep, humus ground, rich in nitrogen. The branches have white, soft marrow. From May to July you can see the umbellifers (delusion umbels), that give off a strong scent. Birds like to eat the berries. They excrete the seeds and this way they are decisive for the Elder's spreading.

People highly esteemed the Elder, because all of its parts are usuable. The blossoms, the leaves, the berries and the bark are used in medicine still today. It was growing nearly at each farmhouse. It was said to be the domicile of the good household-spirits. So it wasn't allowed to damage it.

"Take off your hat to the elder" - is an old common country saying.