We haven’t done sloe gin in a number of years but, as I cut a lot of blackthorn back this year to keep the farm track clear, I doubt if we’d have many to pick. Not in the nearest patch anyway, I’m not sure what’s happening further up the field.

I hope there is new growth and they come back well next year from where I cut it. I may no longer have use for the berries but the blossom looks quite splendid earlier in the year.

Not an excess of damsons btw but I got a very worthwhile to us just over 4lb of fruit from the tree.