Tree

[Ely]

Being new to beekeeping I don't know a great deal about flora and fauna despite enjoying it all my life. I'm trying to learn the types of trees and plants out there that bees like and at what time of year they usually blossom.

I was out taking the dog for a walk along the path inbetween marshes and a woodland. There must have been hundreds of these trees in bloom. It is probably quite obvious to most but can anyone tell me what it is? If you can make it out from the picture.

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[countryman]

maybe cherry

 

[Chris Luck]

Looks more like a type of wild plumb, especially at this time of year.

Chris

 

[sjt]

I'm sure it's a blackthorn or wild plum. It blooms February to April and the flowers come before the leaves. It's usually the first to flower in the spring.

 

[Ely]

Ah. Makes sense. When our pub was open a lot of regulars used to talk about local plum trees. I'll keep an eye on them and see if you are right. Anyone know a good recipe for plum jam?

 

[Ely]

Actually it could very well be sloe. Regulars used to chat about them too. Anyone know a good recipe for sloe gin?

 

[johnandyrob]

Could be a cherry plum they normally flower before blackthorn.

 

[Into the lions den]

Its blackthorn........fruit is a sloe.....harvest very late once black with a blueish bloom on them......makes good home wine, flavours gin or vodka, make utterly vile jam or jelly.

 

[Luminos]

Its blackthorn........fruit is a sloe.....harvest very late once black with a blueish bloom on them......makes good home wine, flavours gin or vodka, make utterly vile jam or jelly.

Looks like blackthorn to me

 

[tonybloke]

it is marabellum, wild plum. both red and yellow varieties grow in abundance along the side of the marsh.

 

[Chris Luck]

So, it's either Blackthorn or a type of plum, neither of which are flowering here yet....most species are still recovering from the big freeze, although I just noticed a pair of Long tailed tits well under way with their nest.

Chris

 

[countryman]

actually i think toneybloke is right marabellum plum

 

[Chris Luck]

Not a cherry then?

Chris

 

[BeeJayBee]

It'll be a plum of some sort.

Blackthorn/sloe (same thing) aren't anywhere near flowering yet.

 

[Ely]

I think the chances are that it is plum. I'll find out later when I go pick the fruit! There are Cherry and sloe here also though

 

[Davelin]

It'll be a plum of some sort.

Blackthorn/sloe (same thing) aren't anywhere near flowering yet.

The blackthorn are nowhere near being out here, so I can't imagine they would be in Norfolk

 

[gavin]

Looks to me like myrobalan plum (= cherry plum) which have been used as rootstocks and often sprout replacing the old plum trees as they die off. There are some in the orchard where I keep my bees and the flowers are just out. Also saw the first sprigs of blackthorn (sloe) out too*. There are planted blackthorn which generally come out a little before the abundant stands of native blackthorn bushes in the vicinty.

Blackthorn have spines but myrobalan/cherry plum don't. Very similar otherwise when in flower.

* A90 near Inchture if you are curious Murray.

 

[Silly Bee]

Ah. Makes sense. When our pub was open a lot of regulars used to talk about local plum trees. I'll keep an eye on them and see if you are right. Anyone know a good recipe for plum jam?

Dead easy.

Wash, take out stones.

Equal parts by weight plums and sugar

Simmer for approx 30 mins

Check setting point by dropping a bit on a cold plate, and push with a finger and see if it ripples.

Put in warm steralised jars, fit lid, leave to cool.

 

[Hebeegeebee]

it is marabellum, wild plum. both red and yellow varieties grow in abundance along the side of the marsh.

I've got one in the garden - confirmed by father-in-law. In flower now. Sloes are spikey - not out yet here.

Wild plum produce quite small fruits. A bugger to stone!

 

[Hebeegeebee]

Anyone know a good recipe for sloe gin?

Yes, it's so easy, even I can do it.