Tree identification help please!

[chris]

Hi,

Just found this on my allotment - have no idea what it is.. it's got no leaves, spines and is covered in this small white blossom.



It's not very tall, perhaps 15' max?



Thanks in advance

[Glutton4...]

My guess would be Prunus Spinosa. Blackthorn. Producer of Sloes, with which to make your Sloe Gin!

[SarzWix]

Aye, I agree, Blackthorn They do flower first, and then get leaves. Mine are in flower at the moment, looking like a decent crop this year too

[chris]

SWEET! Thanks!

[ginger ninger]

Yup that's a Sloe bush. We have lot's of them near us and there all thick with blossom.

[Two_Sheds]

It's nice to see them grown as trees (one stem) instead of a straggly shrub

[chris]

I've 2 on my plot - ones blown over and kinda grown along the ground then up again.

So can you eat the sloes raw? I've never had them before.. and erm booze is a no no now

[Two_Sheds]

So an you eat the sloes raw?

Go on, I dare you (please get someone to take a video clip of you doing it)

[chris]

I'd try it I guess they are tart then?

[Two_Sheds]

they take the enamel off yer teeth

[chris]

lol, I'll take some into work then. I hate them lot

Any other main uses bar sloe gin? Can I mix some in with jams etc?

[Two_Sheds]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tml#post838280

just for you

[Jeanied]

Chris- there was you asking whereabouts they grow in the countryside and you had some on your plot all the time!

[chris]

Yeah! Mad - this patch was covered in like 6' brambles.. the plot sec had it cleared for me (just found out yesterday, as I was going down there to strim them all down). Saw these two bushes - one bloke said they were hawthorn and to cut them down, but had a feeling that the position of them were either planted on purpose, or at least moved into the positions.

So thought i'd double check - glad I did!

[chris]

Well, my excitement was short lived. The chap who strimmed all the brambles down for me, cut the tree/bush down Same guy who said it was hawthorn. I confronted him about it, but realised soon on that he likes a bit to drink, and really, genuinely thought he was right about it being hawthorn - insisted it. Thought it'd be better to let it slip, despite being really mad (why was he on my plot anyway? He walked off all over my strawberry flowers afterwards grr). Thought I'd keep the peace, but my first instinct was to go and cut his apple trees down!

Have seen another further down, but I've a thought he'll probably cut down that one too - as they're "no good" :/

Was going to mention it to the site sec, but thought that he was only trying to help (he came and dug a bed over for me a bit later in the day... makes me think that he stays on the site all day helping folk? - said that the plot keeps him off the booze (despite then going to his shed for a swig )).