Plant identification... Plum, Damson, or something completely different?

[Russel Sprout]

We've got a few trees in our new house/garden which look like they've previously had the chop, but of which a lot of tall wispy branches have grown back.

I'd like to know what they are if anyone can identify? I'm thinking plum but might be waaayyyyy off the mark!

I'd also be interested to know whether they will still be productive in this condition or if they've had their day?

Many, many thanks

[ameno]

Those are definitely plum or damson. It's impossible to tell which just from the leaves.
It may well produce fruit again, but the growth looks a bit young at the moment, so don't necessarily expect anything next year. It may not fruit until the year after.

[nickdub]

Its definitely a plum type tree as Ameno said, but the leaves don't look right for a damson to me - bit too large for the sort I know anyway - seems to be growing in a hedge or simialr which would be a strange place to plant a fruit tree - could it be a sucker from something nearby perhaps ?

[ameno]

Its definitely a plum type tree as Ameno said, but the leaves don't look right for a damson to me - bit too large for the sort I know anyway - seems to be growing in a hedge or simialr which would be a strange place to plant a fruit tree - could it be a sucker from something nearby perhaps ?

It's unlikely to be a sucker, unless the tree it's suckering from is on its own roots.
Most of the common plum rootstocks are not actually common plum (Prunus domestica), but rather other Prunus species. The leaves of those species look different.

[nickdub]

Yes I agree definitely not a plum root-stock either - those have a lot smaller leaves. Bit of a puzzle - could be a chance seedling I suppose .

As you mentioned we really need flowers and fruit for any further id .

[veggiechicken]

Russell, are all these trees planted along the boundary or are they dotted around the garden (which looks lovely by the way!).

[devonuk]

Its definitely a plum type tree as Ameno said, but the leaves don't look right for a damson to me - bit too large for the sort I know anyway - seems to be growing in a hedge or simialr which would be a strange place to plant a fruit tree - could it be a sucker from something nearby perhaps ?

It might be a regional tradition - they have damson hedges in the Lyth Valley in the Lakes.

[nickdub]

It might be a regional tradition - they have damson hedges in the Lyth Valley in the Lakes.

Yes we have lots of damson hedges round here too - the difference is I've never seen anyone plant a normal plum tree in a hedge, and as I said, the leaves on the damson types I know, are a lot smaller than the ones on the tree in the photos.