Shropshire Prune

Prunus insititia

Shropshire Prune has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit

Shropshire Prune is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators

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

RF12-year bare-root tree on VVA-1 rootstock£49.75
Mature height: 2m-3.5m after 10 years
Will become a medium-sized bush-trained semi-dwarf fruit tree, will require permanent staking, but won't need much space
Available next season
RF22-year bare-root tree on St. Julien rootstock£47.50
Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
Will become a large vase-shaped fruit tree, no staking required once established.
Available next season
RF32-year half-standard bare-root tree on St. Julien rootstock£51.00
Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
Can be trained on as a large free-standing half-standard tree.
Available next season
RF41-year bare-root tree on Brompton rootstock£41.25
Mature height: 5m-7m after 10 years
Can be trained on as a 'standard' fruit tree, no staking required, suitable for a traditional plum orchard.
Available next season

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 >