Shropshire Prune is the definitive northern English damson, with a distinctive astringent richness which makes it a versatile fruit for culinary purposes.
The centre of commercial damson production in the UK is Lyth Valley in Cumbria. Shropshire Prune (or its close relations) is the most widely planted variety in this area. Unlke almost all other fruit trees, damsons, particularly Shropshire Prune, actually like a damp climate - so if you live in the north or west of the UK, Shropshire Prune is worth considering.
**All prices include delivery. We offer a discount on orders of multiple bare-root trees for delivery at the same time - this will be shown at the checkout.
Delivery period: Pot-grown trees can be delivered from September onwards. Bare-root trees can be delivered from mid-November onwards. Within those periods you can specify your preferred month of delivery during the checkout process. It is best to order as soon as you can to ensure items are reserved for you.
*Mature heights: Height shown is the approximate height of the tree when mature (after 5-10 years), not the height when supplied. See photos of trees as supplied. Actual mature heights may vary considerably dependent on your local conditions and training and pruning regime.
Stock availability: Items showing as 'sold out' will probably be available again next season. If you would like to reserve in advance use our enquiry form - this does not commit you to anything.
Shropshire Prune is self-fertile and does not need a pollination partner, although fruiting may be improved if there is a compatible tree of a different variety nearby. Since it flowers in the middle of the blossom season it can be pollinated by most other damson trees.
Our online pollination checker lists suitable pollination partners for this variety.
More advice about pollination.
Shropshire Prune produces a typical damson tree - fairly small but upright, with densely packed branches. Indeed for this reason it can be used as a productive hedge. The tree is self-fertile, although cropping will be improved if there is another tree nearby.
Like all damsons, Shropshire Prune is very easy to grow, but produces lighter crops than Merryweather. The main factor affecting the crop is the weather in April when the tree is in blossom. Rain, wind, or frost at this time can reduce yields - not necessarily through damaging the blossom, but by discouraging insects and preventing pollination. Apart from that there is nothing much to worry about. Pruning is unnecessary (except to remove damaged branches - if so, this should be done only in summer).
For more information about growing and caring for damson trees, particularly Shropshire Prune, see the Westmorland Damson Association website.
Planting instructions.
Pruning instructions.
UK, unknown origins.
