FIREWOOD LOGS - Blackthorn - A GUIDE TO BURNING FIREWOOD
Blackthorn Quite one of the best woods. Burns
slowly, with good heat and little
smoke.
Blackthorn
Blackthorn is a common species of the North European countryside with its dense spiny branches and familiar sloes in autumn.
What other names does it have?
Can also be known as | Sloe |
---|---|
Generic name | Blackthorn |
Latin name | Prunus spinosa |
Family name | Rose |
Latin family name | Rosaceae |
What type of tree is it?
Does it lose its leaves in autumn? | Yes, it is deciduous |
---|
Species description:
Average height | 6-7m |
---|
Leaf
Description | Slightly wrinkled |
---|---|
Shape | Oval |
Size | Up to 5cm long and 2cm wide |
Colour | Green |
Leaf bud | Small only 1-2mm long |
Leaf stalk | Short stalk |
Leaf arrangement | In bunches |
Flower, seed, and fruit
Type of flower | Clustered/grouped flowers |
---|---|
Flower size | Around 1cm across |
Flowering season | Early-spring |
Fruit colour | Purple-black with a blueish bloom |
Fruit season | September onwards |
Type of seed body | Fruit |
Seeds dispersed by |
|
Bark and twig
Bark description | Purple-black and finely roughened |
---|---|
Twig Description | Smooth and gleaming purple if they are not covered with a grey bloom. Side shoots end in long spines. |
Where is it usually found?
Is it native or non-native to the British Isles? | Native |
---|---|
Where is its natural range? | Britain and Ireland |
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions? | Widely planted in hedges, dominant in scrub and on heavier soils |
What is its British conservation status? | Common |
Additional information
Is any part of the tree poisonous? | The sloes are very sour but not poisonous |
---|---|
Human uses of tree and timber | The wood has been used for walking or riding sticks and was the traditional wood for Irish shillelaghs. The popular sloe gin is produced by covering sloes with sugar and gin, the result being an almond-flavoured liqueur. The pitted gin-soaked sloes can be dipped into melted chocolate which is then allowed to set. Cooked sloes can also be used to make jam or jelly. |