Blackthorn, Sloe (Prunus spinosa)
Deciduous tree which grows to roughly 24m. Leaves 8-12cm long are divided into three unequal lobes with spiny tips. Fruits 1-2cm wide in a rough scaly cup. Magnificent scarlet red autumn colour.
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Appearance
Deciduous tree which grows to roughly 24m. Leaves 8-12cm long are divided into three unequal lobes with spiny tips. Fruits 1-2cm wide in a rough scaly cup. Magnificent scarlet red autumn colour.
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Leaf upperside
Elliptical, oblong, stalked leaves, 3-5cm long, 1.5-3cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1cm long. Serrated edge. Leaves are dark green above, plain green below, turn reddish or yellowish in autumn.
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Leaf underside
Elliptical, oblong, stalked leaves, 3-5cm long, 1.5-3cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1cm long. Serrated edge. Leaves are dark green above, plain green below, turn reddish or yellowish in autumn.
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Elliptical, oblong, stalked leaves, 3-5cm long, 1.5-3cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1cm long. Serrated edge. Leaves are dark green above, plain green below, turn reddish or yellowish in autumn.
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Flowers
Flowering period IV-V, white clouds of small, delicately scented, individual flowers appear before the leaves start sprouting.
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Fruits
Blue-banded cherry-sized stone fruits up to 1.5cm in diameter. Only edible after the first frost. Sweet and sour.
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Bark
Grey-black bark with horizontal lenticular banding when old. Branches are dark red or pale brown. Thorns on the trunk and branches. Terminal thorns on lateral branches.
Application
Open country, open fields, pioneer tree, tip afforestation, hillside stabilization, screening, wind-break, bird protection, forage for honey-bees, public areas, urban areas
Native regions
Central and southern Germany, Western Germany, North German plains, Europe
Location parameters
Light: full sun to semi-shady, temperature: hot to cool, soil: extremely dry to moist, stagnant moisture: to be avoided, soil structure: heavy to loose, soil depth: medium to very deep, soil quality: low, pH value: 6.0 to 8.5
Demands
Sun to slight shade, heat-tolerant, likes warmth; frost-hardy, but may be damaged by late frosts; undemanding and robust; in all fairly nutrient-rich substrates; tolerates urban climates, moderate resistance to wind
Growth
Height of growth: 1m to 3m, spread: 2m to 4m, slow growth potential, growth habits: shrubby, wide, dense, upright, sparse, trailing, suckering
Leaves
Elliptical, oblong, stalked leaves, 3-5cm long, 1.5-3cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1cm long. Serrated edge. Leaves are dark green above, plain green below, turn reddish or yellowish in autumn.
Flowers
Flowering period IV-V, white clouds of small, delicately scented, individual flowers appear before the leaves start sprouting.
Fruits
Blue-banded cherry-sized stone fruits up to 1.5cm in diameter. Only edible after the first frost. Sweet and sour.
Bark
Grey-black bark with horizontal lenticular banding when old. Branches are dark red or pale brown. Thorns on the trunk and branches. Terminal thorns on lateral branches.
Roots
Surface-rooting, fine root system, expansive root system, dense network of roots