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Has anyone any idea what this tree could be. It's part of our hedge and looks as if it could well be part of an old hedgerow. I've looked through my books but I can't find it. The fruit has a stone rather than pips but the tree is really thorny.
http://www.myphotos.yahoo.com/s/20w6ho2ftjkg7zset0fw

It could be a blackthorn (sloe) although the fruit stalks look a bit long.

Bullace, maybe?

Mike

the thorns make me think it sloe ... are they like spikes ...

We also have blackthorn in the hedge and it's different from. It didn't flower on bear stems but once the leaves were out.

The leaves look a bit big for blackthorn.

I think it's definitely of the plum family. Having thorns can be variable, even among sloe bushes some will be far thornier than others so their presence or otherwise is not always much of an aid to identity. Depending on what colour and size the fruits end up when ripe, but judging by the time of year they're showing it could be a myrobalan plum (Prunus cerasifera 'Myrobalan' - also known as cherry plum). Probably something like this: http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/gard ... m_hedging/

I don't think they are Blackthorn.

I'm veering towards wild plum / damson. I know where there is one in the hedge up the road from us, next time I take Troy out I'll go and have a look.
Sue

Thank you everyone for your suggestions I'll keep you posted when they're ripe.

If they are in the plum/cherry plum family looks like I'll be looking for lots of recipes unless the birds get there first

I wouldn't worry, if it's anywhere near as prolific as our local trees there's usually plenty to go around even with the birds taking some.

Def. not Blackthorn, the leaves are all wrong.
Possibly a Plum. Definitely a Prunus sp.