What fruit bush is this?

[Jackbb]

After another couple of productive days on the new (overgrown) plot i found these amongst the tall grass and dead nettles. Think they must be some form of fruit bush but not sure. The stems are pretty straight and have no thorns, some were dead and hollow and snapped off very easily, the others i cut back to the best looking bud.

I also pulled back all the existing nettles and dead grass in between as best as possible to give the stems some space - they seem set apart and not clumped at a root ball like other fruit bushes so can someone confirm what it is? Other question is whether they will prosper from here and are they worth trying to keep and bring on?

I have attached some photos - before and after - for a better idea.

[Glutton4...]

Could they be Raspberries?

[Jackbb]

Apologies for the wobbly photos, seems they have been rotated!

[Jackbb]

Could they be Raspberries?

Do Raspberries have prickly stems? These don't seem to have them!

[Glutton4...]

There are many thornless Raspberries;

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...nes_56693.html

[kathycam]

I was wondering if it could be gooseberries?

[zazen999]

I think Rasps. They have the same leaf.

[veggiechicken]

Another vote for raspberries

[Glutton4...]

'Kin 'Ell - I got sommat right!!! *faints...

[rustylady]

Raspberries. @ Kathycam - gooseberries have vicious thorns.

[Jackbb]

Thanks all. So looks like raspberries. I have cut back to about 4 foot. Do you think i need to cut back harder to provide a better yield or have I done enough? Presume only time will tell....

[veggiechicken]

Cut out the dead stuff, anything with leaves on, leave That's my method anyway

[rustylady]

Thanks all. So looks like raspberries. I have cut back to about 4 foot. Do you think i need to cut back harder to provide a better yield or have I done enough? Presume only time will tell....

No more pruning Jack. With raspberries you cut out completely the old canes that have borne fruit, and leave the new ones alone.

[Jackbb]

No more pruning Jack. With raspberries you cut out completely the old canes that have borne fruit, and leave the new ones alone.

Thanks Rustylady. Any idea if they will bear any fruit in their current state?plan to mulch with some rotted manure to feed and keep down weeds.

[rustylady]

You should get some fruit this summer, though not as much as if you hadn't pruned them.

Edit note: Look out for new green stems growing from the base - these will be the fruiting canes for next year.