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.
Anwendung
Open country, open fields, pioneer tree, tip afforestation, hillside stabilization, screening, wind-break, bird protection, forage for honey-bees, public areas, urban areas
Heimatgebiete
Central and southern Germany, Western Germany, North German plains, Europe
Standortparameter
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
Ansprüche
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
unknown
Height of growth: 1m to 3m, spread: 2m to 4m, slow growth potential, growth habits: shrubby, wide, dense, upright, sparse, trailing, suckering
Blätter
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.
Blüten
Flowering period IV-V, white clouds of small, delicately scented, individual flowers appear before the leaves start sprouting.
Früchte
Blue-banded cherry-sized stone fruits up to 1.5cm in diameter. Only edible after the first frost. Sweet and sour.
Rinde
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.
Wurzel
Surface-rooting, fine root system, expansive root system, dense network of roots