Winter Walking: Goldenrod
There is still much that the observer can learn about their property during the winter. The landscape is laid bare, exposing ground that was inaccessible during the summer, and the fragile, skeletal husks of once-colorful plant life show us all their seeds. One gust of wind, and new life is scattered, ready for spring.
Last October, board members Jenny Neal and Linda Reich took a nature walk around the East Branch Nature Preserve guided by local expert Laura Silverman of the Outside Institute. The board was excited to learn about all that is growing in the Preserve and we identified many plant and tree species. One plant that we have in abundance in the Preserve is Goldenrod.
Goldenrod is a main stay of summer, during which they bloom with brilliant, vivid yellow, hand-sized draping clusters of blossoms atop tall rods, about three to six feet high. Thin leaves, two to six inches long, grow all the way down the stem alternately, and are hairy. Goldenrod grows by rhizome and you’ll usually find whole fields of it. Our Preserve was no exception. This is what a large patch looked like in November last year, with the trail winding through it.
What joy it was to walk through it in the summer. Keep it in mind for the summer of 2026 because it makes a tasty and healthful tea.
Put fresh blossoms into a mason jar of hot water (not boiling) to make a delicious fresh tea that tastes like a strong green tea. Sweeten with local maple syrup. (Tree Juice was one of our sponsors last year).
Goldenrod is said to have a number of health benefits. It soothes a sore throat, reduces pain and inflammation. It is also used for gout, joint pain (rheumatism), arthritis, as well as eczema and other skin conditions.
The flowers don’t freeze well, so if you want to save some tea for winter, make a condensed batch and freeze to dilute later with water. To make a condensed batch of tea, simply soak as much fresh goldenrod as you can fit in a mason jar of hot water. Strain through a sieve and freeze.
See you on the trail! Remember to keep dogs on a leash and pack out the poop.
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