Shropshire Prune damson trees

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Shropshire Prune is the definitive northern English damson, with a distinctive astringent richness which makes it a versatile fruit for culinary purposes.

The centre of commercial damson production is the Lyth Valley in the Lake District of north west England. Shropshire Prune (or its close relations) is the most widely planted variety in this area. Unlike almost all other fruit trees, damsons, particularly Shropshire Prune, actually like a mild damp climate - making it a good choice for northern and north-western European.

Shropshire Prune is a semi-clingstone fruit - the stone is not easily parted from the flesh.

Shropshire Prune organic damson trees - graft to order

Custom graft varieties: Order before end of December 2023 for delivery in December 2024.

• 1Maidentree on St. Julien A rootstock22.25€
  Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years) Custom graft
  

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• 2Maidentree on Myrobalan rootstock22.25€
  Very large tree (5m-6m+ after 10 years) Custom graft
  

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If you do not hear from us by March you can contact us to pre-order for next autumn.

Growing and Training

Shropshire Prune produces a typical damson tree - fairly small but upright, with densely packed branches. While normally grown as a bush-tree, the dense branches mean it can also be trained as a productive hedge.

The tree is self-fertile, although cropping will be improved if there is another different damson variety growing nearby.

Like all damsons, Shropshire Prune is very easy to grow. The main factor affecting the crop is the weather in early spring when the tree is in blossom. Rain, wind, or frost at this time can reduce yields - not necessarily through damaging the blossom, but by discouraging insects and preventing pollination. Apart from that there is nothing much to worry about. Pruning is unnecessary (except to remove damaged branches - if so, this should be done only in summer).

History

Shropshire Prune is an English damson variety, probably originating from the north-west, however its exact origins are not known.

Shropshire Prune characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
• Flowering group3
• Pollinating othersAverage
• Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climates
• Picking periodmid-September
• Picking seasonMid - Early September
• Season of use1 week
• CroppingLight
• Food usesCulinary
• Disease resistanceGood
• SilverleafVery resistant
• Country of originUnited Kingdom
• Period of origin1800 - 1849
• Fruit colourBlue - dark

Similar varieties

• 
  Farleigh
  Farleigh is a cold-hardy heavy-cropping traditional English damson.
• Madeleine
  A traditional French dual-purpose purple plum.
• 
  Noberte
  Noberte is a traditional culinary plum, ideal for making jams and plum tarts.