CorseMachin | What Is A Shropshire Prune - A Guide To Growing Shropshire Prune Damsons

What Is A Shropshire Prune – A Guide To Growing Shropshire Prune Damsons. One of the best varieties of plums for cooking is the Shropshire, a type of Damson, often referred to as a prune because it dries well and is tasty. The flavor can be astringent when raw, but delightful when cooked, baked, or dried.

When should you prune damsons?
How do you prune a damson?
How tall do damson plum trees grow?
How long does it take a damson tree to fruit?
Do Damsons fruit on old wood?
How do you prune a mature damson tree?
Can you eat Damsons straight from the tree?
Are Damsons good for you?
What is the difference between damsons and sloes?
How do you know when damsons are ready?
Are damsons and plums the same?
Are Damsons easy to grow?

When should you prune damsons?

Pruning during the winter increases the chance of the tree becoming infected with silver leaf fungus so, like all plums, damsons should only be pruned from late spring to early autumn (April to September).

How do you prune a damson?

During the Summer, usually in late July, all of the new side branches should be shortened to about 8 inches, pruning to a downward pointing bud, the leader (main stem) should be left un-pruned. If the side shoots appear too close together, remove some completely to leave a well shaped tree.

How tall do damson plum trees grow?

The standard Damson plum grows to a height of around 20' and a spread of around 20' at maturity. The dwarf variety grows to a height of around 10' with a spread of up to 10'.

How long does it take a damson tree to fruit?

Damsons are not difficult to grow. They will come true from a stone and will produce fruit within 15 years. Alternatively, you can buy a tree grafted on to a rootstock that will control the amount of growth.

Do Damsons fruit on old wood?

Plum trees do not require as precise pruning as apples and pears, but still benefit from initial training and the thinning of old wood to ensure they produce as much fruit as possible. Plums are pruned in early spring or mid-summer to avoid infection by silver leaf disease.

How do you prune a mature damson tree?

Prune plums and damsons in late spring or early summer, sawing out any diseased, dead, broken or rubbing branches. “Dead” branches should be cut back to healthy wood, that is, wood showing no brown stain. In removing large branches take off close to the main branch.

Can you eat Damsons straight from the tree?

It is technically possible to enjoy damsons straight off the tree, but only if you've found the right variety growing in a sunny spot so they're burstingly ripe – and that's a state that the local bird and wasp populations are unlikely to consent to.

Are Damsons good for you?

Damson Plums

They're high in fiber, with 1/2 cup (82 grams) packing an impressive 6 grams of this nutrient (15). As a result, eating more prunes may increase stool frequency and soften your stools, making your bowel movements easier to pass (40Trusted Source, 41Trusted Source).

What is the difference between damsons and sloes?

Sloe bushes have sharp thorns and wild damson trees do not. Damsons have longer stems so hang and look more like a tiny plum. Sloes have shorter stems and hug the branches more. ... Wild damsons are very sharp and sloes taste almost bitter.

How do you know when damsons are ready?

On the damson side agree if making gin that they can be hard (still freeze them though to break the skins). If making jam or juice you have to wait until they are soft and obviously if you just want to eat them (cooked or raw) they have to be soft and juicy!

Are damsons and plums the same?

The difference between plums and damsons, by the way, is less to do with the taste and more with the shape: Plums are usually bigger than damsons and have a distinct longitudinal groove. Damsons also freeze well but plums not. Plum trees need large plant containers with a minimum volume of 25 litres.

Are Damsons easy to grow?

Plums, damsons and gages (Prunus domestica) Plums, and their closely related damsons and gages, are all easy fruits to grow at home. They produce large (often too large!) reliable crops of fruit, which is available in a range of coloured skins and flesh.