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Prunus spinosa |
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 Trees
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Prunus
spinosa is as large deciduous shrub and sometimes
small tree, that can reach 9m in height. It grows in hedgerows and on the edges of scrub
woodland and spreads by suckers to form dense thickets. The alternate leaves are 2-4cm long , oval with a blunt tip
tapering at the base. Thorny black branches produce white flowers before the leaves appear
in March. These turn to bluish black berries that have a white waxy covering, and are very
bitter. The black hairstreak butterfly lays its eggs mainly on Blackthorn, and small birds
find protection in its thorny branches. It provides good stock proof hedges and the
thickets provide valuable protection for other plants. Collect fruit from trees as soon as they turn black. And before the birds have eaten them all. Clean seed of pulp as soon as possible. Pretreatment is required, with all treated seeds sown by mid April to avoid secondary dormancy.
Traditional wood used for making of Irish cudgels. |
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