Merryweather Damson Tree Info - What Is A Merryweather Damson

Merryweather damsons, originating in England, are a tart, delicious type of plum, sweet enough to be eaten raw, but ideal for jams and jellies. One of the hardiest of all fruit trees, Merryweather damson trees are attractive in the garden, providing showy white flowers in spring and lovely foliage in autumn.

How long does it take a damson tree to fruit?

Damsons are not difficult to grow. They will come true from a stone and will produce fruit within 15 years. Alternatively, you can buy a tree grafted on to a rootstock that will control the amount of growth.

How do you identify a damson tree?

Damson

Leaves. Dark green, shiny and oval shaped with a serrated edge.
Flowers. Clusters of small, white flowers with five petals.
Fruit. A dark blue/black fruit with a thin white bloom.
Bark. The trunk is usually fairly thin the bark is often covered in scars, moss and lichen.
Habitat. ...
Possible Confusion. ...
Taste. ...
Frequency.

How do you look after damson trees?

Water the tree deeply once every week during the first growing season. Thereafter, water deeply when the soil is dry, but never allow the ground to remain soggy or to become bone dry. An organic mulch, such as woodchips or straw, will conserve moisture and keep weeds in check.

How tall do damson trees grow?

Expect your damson to grow to around 10-15 feet (3-4.5m). Shropshire Prune (also known as Prune Damson) is one to choose for neat, compact growth, or you could look for a tree grown on Pixy rootstock to restrict growth to 8-10 feet (2.4-3m). Damsons are self-fertile, so you don't need to plant more than one.

Can you eat Damsons straight from the tree?

It is technically possible to enjoy damsons straight off the tree, but only if you've found the right variety growing in a sunny spot so they're burstingly ripe – and that's a state that the local bird and wasp populations are unlikely to consent to.

Do damson trees fruit every year?

It flowers well and the tree looks fine each year; however, no fruit ever appears. Following the flowering, the tree looks a bit sad and the leaves curl in places but no sign of pests. My other plum trees in the garden (different types) do well for fruit each year.

Are Damsons good for you?

Damson Plums

They're high in fiber, with 1/2 cup (82 grams) packing an impressive 6 grams of this nutrient (15). As a result, eating more prunes may increase stool frequency and soften your stools, making your bowel movements easier to pass (40Trusted Source, 41Trusted Source).

What's the difference between a plum and a damson?

The difference between plums and damsons, by the way, is less to do with the taste and more with the shape: Plums are usually bigger than damsons and have a distinct longitudinal groove. Damsons also freeze well but plums not. Plum trees need large plant containers with a minimum volume of 25 litres.

What is the difference between a Bullace and a damson?

Unlike nearly all damsons, bullaces may be either "white" (i.e. yellow or green) or "black" (i.e. blue or purple) in colour, and ripen up to six weeks later in the year. Though smaller than most damsons, bullaces are much larger than the closely related sloe. Their flavour is usually rather acidic until fully ripe.

When should I plant a damson tree?

When to plant damsons

Damson trees often come "bare-rooted" which means that there is no soil around the roots. Plant them from late autumn to early winter as trees generally shut down and become dormant in winter. So this is the best time for them to be planted as it means that their growth is not interrupted.

Can you freeze Damsons straight from the tree?

Just freeze them as they come, I think they then almost last forever. I freeze them whole. When you defrost them the stones come out easily if you want to make crumbles etc and they break down quickly if you make jam, chutney etc.

How do you eat Damsons?

Stewed damson plums can be eaten at all times of the day. Enjoy them as part of your breakfast alongside a warm cereal or French toast; serve on the side with roast pork or ham. And, of course, top with whipped cream and savor at the end of the meal for dessert.

Can you eat Damsons?

Damsons are blue-black fruit that look like small plums. ... Modern cultivated damsons (such as the Merryweather variety) can be eaten raw when ripe, although there is about as much stone as there is flesh. In general, they're best cooked, which brings out their sweet, spicy flavour.

Are damson trees self pollinating?

Most Damsons are self fertile so can be grown alone and although the tree itself is hardy and reliable, the blossom comes very early so can still be prone to frost damage the same as plums and gages. The selection of varieties is quite small but serviceable and there are growing forms that answer most requirements.

What are damson plums good for?

The most important health benefits of damson plums include their ability to improve the digestive system, lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease, strengthen bones, increase energy, optimize sleeping patterns, decrease your risk of certain types of cancer, and boost the immune system.

What do wild damsons look like?

Wild damsons (the ones in the bowl) are the size of a small olive and have the same elongated shape. The dark bluish skins have the same greyish tinge of a sloe or dark plum. The flesh is a yellow orange and the stone small.

What do you do with Damsons after making damson gin?

Tip gin-soaked damsons into a bottle or jar of tonic water, seal the top. Leave for a day or two in a cold place to create a ready-made DG&T – Damson Gin & Tonic. Tip spirit-soaked damsons (or sloes) into a bottle or jar of cider, and seal the top, to make Damcider (Cidamson?), or, with sloes, Slider.

Can you cook Damsons from frozen?

I tend to cook them straight from frozen, they just need a little bit longer in the oven. It's hard to beat them when they are served with custard. My girls love to mix the damson juice with the custard to make a vivid pink pudding. ... Serve warm with plenty of warm custard.

How do you prune a damson tree?

The columnar Damson tree

Pruning takes place in the second half of the summer and is simply a matter of trimming back all of the side growths to about 3”. Established trees only need to be pruned once a year but young trees show more vigour and you may need to go over them again in late Autumn.

How do you know when damsons are ripe?

If making jam or juice you have to wait until they are soft and obviously if you just want to eat them (cooked or raw) they have to be soft and juicy!

How do you get stones out of Damsons?

Cook the damsons in a preserving pan with the water gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. At the same time cook the stones in a separate medium sized pan with 20 mls of water for 20 minutes. When the stones have cooked put them in a sieve and squeeze with the back of a wooden spoon for a couple of minutes.