Plums

[Alan]

Found these plum type fruits growing locally in a hedgerow miles away from any housing etc. The tree was the only one in the area and about 25 feet high.

I think it would be hard to id the species, as there can be many hybrids, but does anyone think they could be wild or cultivated. They were very sweet, and about 1 inch round.

…of course I sampled a few, just for scientific purposes you understand!

[May]

I can't answer your question but I see these everywhere!
I never knew exactly what they were as we are always in the car when we saw them, but from your description they are one and the same I would say.
I've seen the trees lining busy roads, by duel carriageways and on the floor in front of each are piles of fallen fruit. One will have red, one burgundy, one yellow et cetera.

[ogwen]

I'm not sure and may possibly be definately wrong...... but to me they look a little like a cherry? Could it be a cross between a cherry and something else? I have no idea really..... I mean its not like you've never seen a cherry tree , and I suppose cherry trees don't grow that big do they? .......Sorry not being very helpful

[Tiggrx]

They are Cherry-plums (Prunus cerasifera). They are the same bush that produces masses of pure white blossom very early in the spring before the blackthorn begins to flower.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

They are Cherry-plums (Prunus cerasifera). They are the same bush that produces masses of pure white blossom very early in the spring before the blackthorn begins to flower.

Thanks for that Aaron.

They're certainly not common in this area as I'd have noticed them before. This tree is the only one I know of, so maybe it was planted in the hedgrow by mistake, or a bird brought the seed in!

They're not native though are they?

[Tiggrx]

No not a native - but now frequently seen in hedges, even quite remote from houses - a lot are planted, though some presumably bird-sown.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by ogwen

I'm not sure and may possibly be definately wrong...... but to me they look a little like a cherry? Could it be a cross between a cherry and something else? I have no idea really..... I mean its not like you've never seen a cherry tree , and I suppose cherry trees don't grow that big do they? .......Sorry not being very helpful

Your comments are always helpful, besides we need someone to brighten the place up don't we!

[ogwen]

Originally Posted by Alan

Your comments are always helpful, besides we need someone to brighten the place up don't we!

Brighten the place up, me ?

[Alan]

Originally Posted by ogwen

Brighten the place up, me ?

There you go, you've done it again!

[Uncle_Filthster]

Cherry plums are lovely. They were the precursor to the domestic plum (crossed with sloes). They make great jam and wine There are loads planted around my former workplace where I devised a 'pro' method of collecting them.
Get a sheet and a couple of helpers to hold the sheet whilst one person shakes the branches with a pole witha hook on (like a clothes prop or an extending pruner). Don't pull on the branches to bring them closer to get the fruit though as they snap very easily.
Have a taste of the plums of different trees too as some can be quite indescript. I generally prefer the really dark red ones as they are very sweet and nectarish.