This past weekend I journeyed into the backwoods and searched for the best tasting fruit that late summer yields -blackberries! It is a family tradition for us to get together and collect as many blackberries as possible. Of course, we have to race to see who can fill their bowls first. When I was younger, I would run to the edges of ponds and fields in search of the perfect berry bush. It would take me hours to find one. But in time I figured out that wild berries are very abundant in upstate New York. All I needed to do was to learn how to identify them and take the time to think of their role in nature.

Blackberries are a type of bramble. Other types include raspberries and dewberries but having to tell the difference between brambles can be easy if the berries are ripe. Otherwise, it may take practice. Blackberries have upright stems that trail out and arch. If you touch the stems or even come close to them you will probably end up with little scratches all over your hands. However, this is the only downfall to collecting the berries and is well worth the trouble. In the spring the berry bush is covered in small white flowers that have 5 petals and a defined yellow center. In late June through July the flowers produce a delicious blackberry that can be eaten when picked, sprinkled on your cereal or used in pies and jams.

Now that we have identified what blackberries are how do we find them in the wild? Well, let's think about their role in nature.

The berry#'s main purpose in life is to reproduce and there is no better way of doing this, than taking advantage of its relationship with animals.

A blackberry#'s best friend is a bird. Not only is the fruit a great source of food for the bird but the bird is helping the plant spread its seeds. It is a win-win relationship. Wherever a bird may travel it will drop a seed and a berry bush will try to sprout.

But an important ingredient to growth is sun. Therefore, if you look in cool yet, sunny spots along the edges of meadows, overgrown farm fields, and river or pond margins you may be able to find a berry bush and needless to say, birds.

Other places to look would be along country roads or places that have been disturbed.

For example, an old tree that has been removed will provide plenty of sunshine and moisture in the soil.

Blackberries find these conditions favorable and will take over before trees are able to sprout and push them out.

It may take some time to find a patch of blackberry bushes but be patient and keep your eyes open because once you find them there will be no need to look any further!

Just remember that although blackberries are delicious, it seems that we are not the only ones that think this! So, leave a few for the birds and in turn they may be nice enough to bring us more next year.

For more information on brambles, call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County at 255-1183.

Renee Jensen is a community educator of environmental issues for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County.