Plum/plum relative (?) growing wild for ID

[Deb London]

Hello,

Any help or pointers with this plum-like shrub gratefully received. It seemed to be growing wild on an old industrial site.









Thanks.

[Tursiops2]

Looks like Damson.
T2

[Dorts]

Hi Deb. I wrote a long piece on our 'Wild Plums' on a thread a while back in the autumn. I can't find it at the mo' but basically it said that the term 'Wild Plum' covers a range of small trees and shrubs under the title Prunus domestica. These include Plums, Damsons, Bullaces and Greengages.

Two forms have been given the sub-specific names of institia and italica. But the whole group is so interbred that it is almost impossible to name individual shrubs.
Dorts.

[Deb London]

Thanks both.

Prunus domestica it is, and the fact that I now know it might be very interbred saves me from spending hours searching for an 'exact match' so that is useful.

[Tiggrx]

The green twig in the last picture would indicate that it is Cherry-plum (Prunus cerasifera). It is a more distinctive species before the leaves start appearing.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

The green twig in the last picture would indicate that it is Cherry-plum (Prunus cerasifera). It is a more distinctive species before the leaves start appearing.

I'll check out our one - it's in full bloom and looking quite spectacular. People stop to admire it.

A couple of years ago the weight of fruit it carried caused it to topple over and become partially uprooted. I reduced the top growth drastically and pulled it upright and now have it supported with a 'crutch'.

Jim

[Deb London]

So green twigs point to Cherry-plum? Thanks.

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by Deb London

So green twigs point to Cherry-plum? Thanks.

Only the young (1st-year) twigs are green. Those of Plum or Blackthorn are brown or grey.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

Only the young (1st-year) twigs are green. Those of Plum or Blackthorn are brown or grey.

On that basis, ours is a cherry-plum. Thanks, 'Tiggrx'!

Here it is:



Jim

[Dorts]

I notice that my original reply to this thread was to the general heading of 'Plums and Plum relatives'.

However I gave no opinion as to the ID of Deb's tree.

I agree with Tiggrx that it is a Cherry-plum - Prunus cerasifera, which along with Blackthorn, generally flowers as early as February.
Dorts