Is it a weed? Is it a shrub?

Hi all,

Please can someone advise whether this is a weed or a shrub so I know if it needs to go, even though it probably will do as it doesn't smell too good.

I've gone round and round the Internet and think it's a weed, although doesn't have the same leaves or stems as Hogwart or alike. It has branches and a trunk (or maybe more but don't want to go in too deep in case its poisonous) at the bottom, wide shooting as well as up, but top more green and maybe hollow stems? It's about 8ft tall now! It looks ok but doesn't smell too good so will probably need to go either way, even though it's a good shade for the garden.

Could someone please help identify it.

Many thanks in advance,

Kim

 

The name escapes me this morning, I know it, I really do I know the bees like it and it has berries for the birds in autumn but it's fast growing & part of my hedgerow

 

Last year it started out as a 2ftish 'oh that looks like weeds and better dig them up soon'. Then it started branching and thought hmmm maybe it's something else. But my 'not so green fingers' have just let it keep growing and now thinking arrhhh as a lot to cut down if it needs to go!

There's no berries on it. Maybe because it's immature?

 

Sambucus nigra..Elderberry.
You can make a cordial/wine from the flowers.
Wine etc from the berries.

Sambucus nigra - Google Search

 

Thanks Silver surfer, and you Mark56.

Maybe I'll let it stick around then and just keep an eye on the height!