Miscellaneous Writings

Blackthorns

Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa)

Blackthorn is another type of tree ideal for hedging that is widespread across the English countryside. Its long thorns have made it popular with farmers for centuries as the perfect barrier for keeping their livestock contained. Again, a huge attraction to birds and bees, the Blackthorn hedge produces beautiful white flowers in the early spring, followed by Sloe berries that ripen in October. A native species, the Blackthorn hedge plant has profuse white flowers on bare black stems in April, followed by small, dark green leaves on the spiny stems and blue sloes in autumn.

Finally, both Hawthorn and Blackthorn are quite slow growing but the end result is worth the wait and your hedge will be around for up to a hundred years!

Blackthorn makes an excellent fire wood that burns slowly with a good heat and little smoke.[11] The wood takes a fine polish and is used for tool handles and canes.[12] Straight blackthorn stems have traditionally been made into walking sticks or clubs (known in Ireland as a shillelagh).[13] In the British Army, blackthorn sticks are carried by commissioned officers of the Royal Irish Regiment; the tradition also occurs in Irish regiments in some Commonwealth countries.

Adulterant=impurity or contaminent