The first tree of the year to come into bloom. In February or March depending on the winter, creamy white flowers appear on hedgerows long before any other, and before the leaves. They offset the dark brown winter twigs, well. In a warm spring the leaves will be open by the end of March and are small, toothed and oval in shape. Blackthorn develops very sharp spines which cover the branches, intended to defend it from grazing animals. The bitter fruit, known as sloes are ready to pick in October; they are often covered in a white powdery bloom, which is a yeast fungus. They are green when unripe and black when ripe. Blackthorn suckers strongly from the main tree, and large stands develop forming a dense thicket. Blackthorn is botanically a small plum tree.
Originally called ‘sloh’ by the early English, blackthorn The fruit known as sloes are best known for flavouring sloe gin, although drinks made of fermented sloes have been concocted for centuries. The presence of place names associated with the berries, and that the tree was originally named after its berries suggests that they were very important to some communities. In Ireland blackthorns were believed to provide protection against ghosts. There were strong beliefs against cutting it on 11th of May or 11th of November. The hard wood with polished bark are sold for walking sticks, or was once used for the teeth of hay rakes.
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