20 Trees Every Prepper Should Be Familiar With

Growing your own food and medicine will vastly improve your chances of surviving a long-term disaster. Cultivating fruit trees and knowing the medicinal properties of various trees is essential for preppers. Many trees are packed with nutrients like Vitamin C, and some contain ingredients for natural remedies that can treat illnesses and major wounds.

In this guide, we’ll explore 20 edible and medicinal trees every prepper should be familiar with, along with essential methods for creating poultices, salves, and tinctures using these trees. Mastering these skills could be critical in a long-term survival situation.

Growing your own food and medicine is just one of the many skills essential for survival—explore 22 must-know survival techniques here.

Alder trees are known for their antimicrobial properties, making them excellent for treating both topical and internal infections. Topically, alder can be applied to reduce the effects of skin disorders like acne. Ingesting alder tea can treat conditions like fever, hemorrhoids, tonsillitis, and sore throats. In a survival situation, the leaves can be chewed and placed directly on open wounds to promote healing. Alternatively, simmer the leaves in warm water and apply them to the affected area.

The apple tree offers far more than just fruit. The bark can be consumed to treat diarrhea and fever. Stewed apples can act as a natural laxative, while apple cider vinegar can be used for everything from cleaning to wound care. Baked apples, when used in a warm poultice, help reduce sore throat and headache pain. Every prepper should consider growing apple trees for both food and medicinal purposes.

Apple trees also play an important role in making vinegar, which has a myriad of survival uses. Learn more about homesteading and food preservation here.

Apple trees not only provide nutritious fruits but also contribute to a well-stocked survival pantry—see 25 essential survival foods here.

Learn how to grow and utilize fruit trees like apple for survival food and natural remedies with My Survival Farm, a guide to creating a sustainable garden in any climate.

Ash trees have been considered sacred in many Native American cultures due to their powerful medicinal properties. Ash leaves can be made into a laxative tea that helps treat gout, rheumatism, and jaundice. The bark is both astringent and tonic, making it useful for treating fevers and skin disorders. For centuries, ash trees have provided medicinal relief, making them a valuable asset to any survival garden.

Beech trees produce edible nuts and leaves that provide essential nutrients in a survival situation. Tea made from beech bark has been used to treat tuberculosis and acts as a blood cleanser. The leaves can also be used to create poultices for burns and frostbite, providing essential healing properties. The interior bark can be dried and ground into flour, offering a source of food if needed.

Birch trees are a versatile and important tree for preppers. They can be tapped for syrup, and the leaves are rich in Vitamin C, making them a valuable survival food. The bark is edible and can be ground into flour or added to soups. Birch sap has a butterscotch flavor and is rich in nutrients.

Birch leaves are commonly used to treat kidney, bladder, and urethra infections, and their natural diuretic properties help eliminate toxins from the body.

Birch bark is a versatile resource for crafting tools like cordage and fire starters—discover 10 ingenious tools made from bark here.

For survival strategies like crafting tools and fire starters using birch bark, explore SpecOps Bushcrafting, a resource packed with wilderness survival skills.

Cedar trees are valued for their anti-inflammatory properties. Cedar bark can be brewed into tea to treat colds, flu, and fevers. Cedar poultices can also be used to treat wounds, fungal infections, and rashes. Additionally, cedar leaves can be made into a tea that helps reduce joint pain and muscle soreness, making it an important medicinal resource.

Elder trees are famous for their powerful healing properties. Elderberry syrup is an excellent natural remedy for colds, coughs, and sore throats. The leaves can be used topically to reduce bruising and soothe pain, while elder tree tea helps break fevers by promoting sweating. Elder trees should be a staple in any prepper’s survival garden for their medicinal versatility.

Boost your survival medicine knowledge with The Doctor's Book of Survival Home Remedies, covering remedies like elderberry syrup to combat colds and flu.

Elm trees have long been used in natural medicine to treat everything from childbirth pain to gunshot wounds. Elm bark has a high calcium content, which promotes bone healing and strengthens the body’s ability to recover from injuries. Poultices made from elm bark can be applied to draw out fever and reduce inflammation. Discover natural remedies for common ailments here.

Elm poultices have been used for centuries to treat colds and inflammation—explore more natural remedies here.

Hawthorn trees produce berries that are known for their heart health benefits. Hawthorn tea, also referred to as a “cardiac tonic,” helps reduce blood pressure and improve cardiac health. However, it’s important to take breaks between regular use. Hawthorn berries are edible and can be an essential survival food, particularly for individuals with cardiovascular issues.

Hazel trees provide both edible nuts and medicinal benefits. The bark can be used to create poultices for stomach ulcers, and the nuts help treat kidney problems. Mixing hazelnuts with animal fat creates a natural insect repellent, a useful resource in survival scenarios. Learn how hazel trees can support your health and survival efforts.

Linden trees, also known as basswood, offer edible leaves and flowers. The spring leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, while the flower blossoms can be used to brew a calming tea. Linden flowers are also known for their anti-inflammatory and sedative properties, making them a valuable resource for treating colds and fevers.

Maple trees are known for their syrup, but they also provide medicinal benefits. A poultice made from maple leaves can soothe sore eyes, while bark tea can be used to treat kidney infections and bronchitis. Maple seeds are edible and can be a source of nutrition in survival situations. Smaller seeds are sweeter, while larger seeds may require boiling to reduce bitterness.

Mountain holly trees produce leaves that can be brewed into tea to treat fever, diarrhea, and jaundice. These leaves also have diuretic properties, making them effective in eliminating unnecessary liquids from the body. In survival scenarios, mountain holly can be a key resource for treating cold and flu symptoms.

Mulberry leaves are packed with anti-inflammatory properties and are used to support liver health and improve eyesight. Mulberry berries are rich in antioxidants, making them great for heart health and reducing cholesterol. Mulberry tea can also help alleviate symptoms of colds and help maintain youthful skin. Discover how mulberry can enhance your survival diet here.

Oak trees have been used for centuries to treat infections and inflammation. The tannin in oak bark is antiseptic and antiviral, making it useful for treating open wounds. Acorns from oak trees are also edible, and oak bark tea helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduce internal inflammation.

Oak's antiseptic properties make it a vital resource during extended blackouts—prepare for long-term crises here.

Learn how to utilize antiseptic oak bark for wound care and food preservation techniques with The Final Survival Plan, an essential survival guide for any prepper.

Pine trees are an excellent survival resource, rich in Vitamins A and C. Pine bark can be dried and ground into flour or cooked as strips for added nutrition. Pine needles can be chewed to extract vitamins or made into a tea to prevent scurvy. Pine sap also has medicinal properties and can be used to treat wounds and burns.

Poplar trees are a versatile resource, with edible inner bark and catkins. The inner bark can be used as flour, while the catkins provide additional nutritional value. Poplar tea can be made to treat pain and inflammation, making it a useful natural remedy in survival situations.

Sassafras trees are known for their unique flavor and medicinal properties. The young roots can be brewed into tea to promote dental hygiene, while the leaves and twigs can be chewed to maintain oral health. Sassafras leaves are also a tasty addition to soups and salads.

Slippery elm bark is a soothing remedy for wounds and rashes. It can also be consumed to treat sore throats, urinary tract infections, and digestive issues. In times of emergency, slippery elm is even used as a natural baby formula, making it an essential survival resource.

Willow trees are known for containing salicin, the active ingredient in aspirin. Willow bark tea is effective in reducing headaches, muscle pain, and joint discomfort. In survival situations, willow bark can be a valuable pain reliever, especially when modern medicine is unavailable.

Willow bark's medicinal qualities pair perfectly with off-grid living strategies—discover energy independence here.

For natural pain relief using willow bark, explore The Doctor's Book of Survival Home Remedies, a must-have for creating remedies in survival situations.

• Bark Tea: Simmer chopped bark in water for 15-20 minutes to make a medicinal tea.

• Poultices: Mash leaves or bark with water and apply them to wounds.

• Salves: Simmer bark or leaves in oil, melt in beeswax, and store for later use.

• Tinctures: Steep tree materials in alcohol for 10-14 days.