Cherry Plums ?

[Sheep1903]

Can anyone confirm if these are Cherry Plums ? I found several trees today laden with fruit. Also wondering if they can be mistaken for anything poisonous. Opening opening they smell and look like plums.

Thanks for any help.

Craig

[wildherbalian85]

Do you have a picture???????

[wildherbalian85]

These trees are probably Wild Plum (Prunus domestica)

[Sheep1903]

Here is a photo.

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Sheep1903

Here is a photo.

I would say they were more likely to be wild plum rather then cherry plum.

What does the stone loo like... try and post picture.

[Hedera]

They look a bit like bullaces, a type of wild damson-like plum.

[Cheryl]

Do Bullace turn red?

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Cheryl

Do Bullace turn red?

I was thinking the same thing i thought they where only purple or yellowy green.

The plums pictured are unripe. Upon ripening they will be red.

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by Sheep1903

Here is a photo.

Yes, definitely Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera). They're certainly not poisonous, but personally I've always found them to be an acquired taste I'm yet to acquire

Rather bland, in my opinion, compared to P. domestica. I've been told they make good wine, though, but I don't really have the patience for things like that

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by davidbr

Yes, definitely Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera). They're certainly not poisonous, but personally I've always found them to be an acquired taste I'm yet to acquire

Rather bland, in my opinion, compared to P. domestica. I've been told they make good wine, though, but I don't really have the patience for things like that

Originally Posted by Sheep1903

Here is a photo.

How do you know that these are definitely cherry plums??

How can you say for certain from this picture that these are definitely cherry plums???

I look forward to reading your explination of your identification process led you to a certain confirmation.

[Sheep1903]

Okay guys,

Quite a lot of conflicting information so still a bit unsure. Thanks for taking the time to help so far.

Anyway to help get a positive id, I went back tonight to get some more info for you. See Attached pics. There were around 4 or 5 trees on the edge of old woodland. On checking the size of the trees, one of them I would estimate at 50ft tall. Others are more like 25-30ft.

I am primarily interested in making jam from these, but understandly want to be on the safe side. Don't want Cyanide poisoning or anything ?

Cheers,

Craig

[wildherbalian85]

i had a load of wild plums that had the little spike bit on the end of the plum... just like this one has. I do not know why they where like and i don't think this is normal, mine where dark purple.

[wildherbalian85]

how easy was it to detach the stone from the fruit --- did it just pop out?

Is there a sharp feeling edge to the stone? And how flat would you say it was.

i wouldn't worry about Cyanide poisoning as this is only found in the stones.

[Sheep1903]

I took the stone from one of the unripe fruit. I basically cut it out so not that easy.

Yes the stone has a definite sharp edge. Even two sharp edges but one a bit more pronounced than the other.

[Sheep1903]

How flat is it ?It's fairly flat but not overly. Two definite seams. if you look closely at the sharpest edge it's almost as if there is a stone bursting out from the stone. i.e there are two distinct lines either side of the sharp edge.

Does that make any sense ?

Craig

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Sheep1903

How flat is it ?It's fairly flat but not overly. Two definite seams. if you look closely at the sharpest edge it's almost as if there is a stone bursting out from the stone. i.e there are two distinct lines either side of the sharp edge.

Does that make any sense ?

Craig

Yes it makes sense.

These are Wild plums. Cherry plums (stones) are pretty round and have little in the way of sharp edges they are pretty smooth feeling stone.

Royal Horticultural Society - Advice: Plums - bullaces, wild plums and myrobalans

[Sheep1903]

Excellent .... thanks so much for your help.

Your first instinct seems to have been right then.

Now for the jam then.

Wonder how long the trees have been there ? Two theories -

First Theory, They are on the old site of a Royal orchard as the trees sit on the far side of a loch near to the palace birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. So hundreds of years (yeah right)

Second theory, someone has thrown away some plums whilst walking round the said loch

I prefer the first explanation.

Best regards,

Craig

[wildherbalian85]

I hope you enjoy

i made some some lovely Jam the other day too. I like plum jam because all you need is the plums and (too taste) sugar... no need for pectin

[Uncle_Filthster]

Originally Posted by Sheep1903

Can anyone confirm if these are Cherry Plums ? I found several trees today laden with fruit. Also wondering if they can be mistaken for anything poisonous. Opening opening they smell and look like plums.

Thanks for any help.

Craig

Certainly look like cherry plums. If it's a small tree/large shrub that looks very similar to blackthorn but wit those fruit then scoff away!
The colours vary a lot from yellow to very deep purple/red and make cracking jam.

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Uncle_Filthster

Certainly look like cherry plums. If it's a small tree/large shrub that looks very similar to blackthorn but wit those fruit then scoff away!
.

Well this describes a plum tree in general and is hardly a description unique to a cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera).

[wildherbalian85]

Do these look like your plums???