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Damson tree, buying only 1, will it pollinate ok ?

Last post 31-05-2012 8:24 AM by ghost123uk. 3 replies.

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  • 30/05/2012 10:16 AM
    • ghost123uk
    • South Cheshire
    • 21 May 2012
    • 6
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    Hi folks, I hope to buy just 1 Damson tree (no room for more).

    My first question is = I do not know if there are any other Damson trees in my area, if there are not any nearby, will it pollinate and produce fruit ?

    My second question is = Can anyone recommend a hardy variety that will be happy being kept quite small, say no more than 10 feet tall.

    Thanks for looking :)

  • 30/05/2012 01:59 PM
    In reply to
    Top 25 Contributor
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     Hi ghost123uk, welcome,

    Damsons are self fertile, let me know the variety you are looking at and I can double check.

    Damsons are tough plants so you can take your pick with regards to hardiness.

    If you want to restict the size, the quickest way to get a compact, mature tree is to buy a damson that has been grown as a "bush", which just means that it has been pruned to have a short trunk. Or you can buy a maiden (the smallest size) and prune it into a bush yourself.

     You will probably have the most choice if you buy your tree bareroot this winter, but perhaps your local garden centres will have some in pots.

    Have fun,

    Ed

    www.ashridgetrees.co.uk
  • 31/05/2012 07:47 AM
    In reply to
    Top 100 Contributor
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    Damsons are reliably self-fertile, but will also cross-pollinate with most plums - so if you have a plum tree nearby that would also help.

    All damsons are hardy, Merryweather or Farleigh are perhaps the most hardy varieties.

    Even though damsons are generally tough trees, I would not resort to pruning to keep the size down.  Instead choose a tree on the Pixy rootstock, this will help keep the size to less than 10ft.  Mature height is also affected by other factors such as your local climate - the height will be less in exposed conditions on poor soils.


    www.orangepippintrees.co.uk
  • 31/05/2012 08:24 AM
    In reply to
    • ghost123uk
    • South Cheshire
    • 21 May 2012
    • 6
    Not Ranked
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    Thanks to both of you for this useful info :)

    I now know it's "do-able" and what to look for when buying.

    Just off now to "Google around" for a local a supplier, not the sort of thing your average Garden Centre stocks I suspect ;)