Shropshire Prune damson trees

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• 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 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
  Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  

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• PG2Premium half-standard 12L pot-grown tree St. Julien rootstock £63.50
  Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  

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Bare-root

• BR12-year bush-trained bare-root tree VVA-1 rootstock £49.75
  Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  

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• BR21-year bare-root tree St. Julien rootstock £38.75
  Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  

  Out of stock
  Please try next season
• BR32-year bush-trained bare-root tree St. Julien rootstock £47.50
  Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  

  Out of stock
  Please try next season
• BR42-year half-standard bare-root tree St. Julien rootstock £51.00
  Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  

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• BR51-year bare-root tree Brompton 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.

Next deliveries

Order now for delivery from week commencing 25th November for pot grown trees or December for bare-root or mixed tree orders.

Delivery charges

Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.

EU delivery
This variety is also available for delivery to Europe. Contact us for details.

Shropshire Prune damson trees

Fill in the form below and we will notify you when Shropshire Prune damson trees are back in stock.

If you do not hear from us by February you can contact us in the spring to pre-order for the autumn.

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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.

History

Shropshire Prune is an English variety, probably originating from the north-west, however its exact origins are not known.

Shropshire Prune characteristics

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.