That's amazing.

I agree, amazing, but I would like a more close-in picture of the infructescences, please ;-)

Pacific Northwest?

Yes, Art is in western Oregon.

I've never heard of this PNW native, in spite owning a book about PNW natives! I would love something like this in my garden, but whether or not it would be hardy enough, it probably wouldn't cotton to our heat, humidity, and summer deluges.

This tree is in Dallas Oregon. There are a fair number of the typical shrub form along Rickreall Creek which flows through town, but I've never seen anything like this, until yesterday.

In the olden time of Ray & Peg Prag running Forestfarm, they'd drive out to get cuttings.

If there's something distinct about its genetics, I hope it's preserved.

@davidrt28 - One would certainly assume the genetics are unique. I've seen hundreds of plants all over the PNW and there was very little variation. Then again, I wasn't looking straight up;)

Stephen Ryan's channel really is excellent. I've been working my way through all of their videos. He is a plant nerd of the highest order.

Needs updatin'

https://www.championtreeregistry.com/search?q=sambucus

I'd love to see it in its full glory, without all the wires and bad pruning and with its original multiple trunks. Must be incredible in flower as well as fruit.

Art, did you get some seeds from it?

Is it ok with you if I email a couple PNW nursery folk about this post?

Stunning tree. I had no idea sambucus could get that tall. We grow one of the dark leaved varieties, can't recall the name, and do to originally poorly siting and then moving it, it is struggling.

If any seed is available for this tree I'd very much like to try germinating them.

Sambucus caerulea is a dead common PNW native plant that pops up all over the place here, thanks to the birds. I had several growing in the ungroomed areas of my former garden. None got nearly as large as the one in the photos, which I believe must have been intentionally trained into a single trunked specimen, as they are most often multistemmed large shrubs rather than a defined tree.

@UpperBayGardener (zone 7) - Yes, absolutely spread the word about this tree. I could share the address if needed. Who were you thinking of contacting? I was wondering if the boys at Dancing Oaks would be interested. I would be surprised if this was not a champion tree, or at least in contention.

I have not collected seed but I don't think it would be a problem, its loaded with fruit.

Yeah, also let Sean Hogan @ Cistus know, while you're at it.

I wonder if seed would produce a similar tree? Cuttings would give you a better chance I'd imagine.

According to the Oregon Champion Tree Registry and the 2019 National Register of Champion Trees, there was a Blue Elderberry in Linn County Oregon that had a 122" circumference, and was 39' tall, and 35' wide when it was last measured in 2016.