"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message
...

In article ,
"Sue" writes:
|
| Might damsons trees in a hedgerow have the odd thorn or two? This
morning we
| picked what we think are fruits -too -big to- be -sloes but there were
a few
| long thorns on some of the branches. I plan to jam them but if they are
| sloes they may not yet be sweet enough so they may have to be "ginned"
| instead!

Yes, but I am afraid that you are confused. They are likely to be
bullaces

I agree.

- the 'wild' damson (and ancestor of modern plums) - probably
introduced by the neolithic farmers. But there is no need for fruit
to be sweet to be good for jam - both sloes and Chaenomeles make very
good jam, and you can make good jam with unripe fruit.

Equally well, you can make a good gin cordial with bullaces and
suitable damsons, though I haven't done it myself.

I have and it's very, very good.

Or cheese, which I have, and chutney, which my wife has :-)

I haven't made chutney but the cheese is wonderful - such an intense flavour
.... drool ... our little tree doesn't produce many fruit so I have to use
them for something special. The cheese is special - there's nothing like it
in my experience.

Mary