Oh that's a shame it will never make a good stick for rambles. Maybe it will have to just be decorative at home; this younger bark is so nice looking.

I'm glad to have learned a new tree though (I really don't know as many by heart as I'd like to) - I've now been identifying other elders in the woods and quite proud of myself, lol!

Thank you all for your help; it's great to come to where the experts are.