Shropshire Prune damson trees
Prunus insititia - Picking season: Mid Early September
- Self-fertility: Self-fertile
- Awards: RHS AGM (current) 1998
- Awards: Slow Food - Ark of Taste
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.
Shropshire Prune is a semi-clingstone fruit - the stone is not easily parted from the flesh.
Shropshire Prune damson trees for sale
Pot-grown
All our pot-grown trees are grown for us to our specification by the Frank P Matthews nursery.
All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.
PG12-year bush-trained 12L pot-grown tree St. Julien rootstock£60.50
Grown for us by Frank P Matthews nursery
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
PG2Premium half-standard 12L pot-grown tree St. Julien rootstock£63.50
Grown for us by Frank P Matthews nursery
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
Out of stock
Please try next season
Bare-root
BR12-year bush-trained bare-root treeVVA-1 rootstock£49.75
Medium tree
(2m-3m after 10 years)
Out of stock
Please try next season
BR21-year bare-root treeSt. Julien rootstock£38.75
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
Out of stock
Please try next season
BR32-year bush-trained bare-root treeSt. Julien rootstock£47.50
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
Out of stock
Please try next season
BR42-year half-standard bare-root treeSt. Julien rootstock£51.00
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
Out of stock
Please try next season
BR51-year bare-root treeBrompton rootstock£41.00
Very large tree
(4m-7m after 10 years)
Out of stock
Please try next season
Need help? Ask our fruit tree experts
Call us on 01759 392007 or fill in our contact form.
Tree specification
Photos of trees as supplied |
Tree sizes and forms
Next deliveries
Order now for delivery from week commencing 31st March
Delivery charges
Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.
Growing and Training
Shropshire Prune produces a typical damson tree - fairly small but upright, with densely packed branches. While normally grown as a bush-tree, the dense branches mean it can also be trained as a productive hedge, although for the same reason it is not the best choice of damson if you wish to train as a fain.
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.
Recommended pollinators for Shropshire Prune damson trees
Shropshire Prune is self-fertile, so you do not need another variety to pollinate it to produce fruit.
However you are likely to get a better crop if you plant any of the following pollinator varieties nearby.
If you are not sure about pollination requirements don't hesitate to ask us.
More pollinators >
VictoriaVictoria is the definitive English plum, attractive fruit, good for eating, outstanding flavour for cooking.
FarleighOne of the hardiest damsons, and crops heavily. Farleigh has the distinctive damson flavour.
MerryweatherMerryweather is a very popular damson, with unusually large fruit, one of the hardiest of fruit trees.
Mirabelle de NancyMirabelle de Nancy is the definitive traditional French Mirabelle, originating from north-east France.
CzarCzar is a traditional culinary plum, one of the easiest plums trees, will even fruit on north-facing walls.
History
Shropshire Prune is an English variety, probably originating from the north-west, however its exact origins are not known.
Shropshire Prune characteristics
- Gardening skillBeginner
- Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
- Flowering group3
- Pollinating othersAverage
- Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climates
- Picking seasonMid
- CroppingLight
- Keeping (of fruit)1 week
- Food usesCulinary
- Country of originUnited Kingdom
- Period of origin1800 - 1849
- Blossom colourWhite
- Fruit colourBlue - dark
- AwardsRHS AGM (current)Slow Food - Ark of Taste
British-grown trees 
Unlike many garden centres and online retailers, the vast majority of our fruit trees are grown in the UK.
Find out more.
In addition, all our trees are certified under the Plant Healthy scheme, supervised by the Plant Health Alliance.
Other stakeholders include Defra and the RHS. The scheme aims to improve UK biosecurity by setting standards
for all growers and retailers involved in selling plants in the UK.
Find out more
Guaranteed fruit trees
When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden whilst it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund - subject to some conditions.
Find out more.
More about damson trees
Damsons are primarily grown for use in the kitchen - if you can find the space it is definitely worth having at least one damson tree in your fruit tree collection.
Damsons have a distinctive rich flavour, similar but quite different to plums. They are superb for making jams, jellies, crumbles, and pies.
Damsons trees belong to the species Prunus insititia, which also includes Bullaces, St. Juliens, and Mirabelles. Damsons originate from Damascus in Syria and the name comes from the term "Damascene plum". This might suggest they need a Mediterranean climate, but in fact damson trees grow very easily in cold climates or situations where other plum tree species might not flourish. In the UK the centre of commercial damson production is the Lyth valley in Cumbria, north-west England, notable for its wet climate. However, although they can succeed in areas where sunlight is not plentiful, damson trees do not grow well if they are shaded.
Damson trees are therefore a reliable source of fresh fruit in climates where other fruit trees may not succeed. They are also amongst the easiest of fruit trees to grow, needing no pruning once they are established - indeed pruning is not only unnecessary but undesirable with damsons.
For more information about damsons, see Daiv Sizer's guide to damsons (PDF). Pruning guide for damsons - Pots 2 Plots.
