Does anyone know what this is and is it safe to eat?

[toothfairy73]

This really. This tree seems to have seeded itself and this year has produced something that looks like plums or damsons or something but I don't want to pick them just in case it's not! Anyone know what this is?

Damson port? That sounds amazing, I’m off to look for a recipe.

I've just checked again... they are slightly large olive size at the mo... so confused!

Another vote for damsens, I don't think they are sloes. Sloe bushes have prickles and sloes often look more dusty, also the leaves are different:

Sloe closeup

They look lush!

Sloes often have a mist on them. I still think there’s a small chance they could be sloes to be honest. Are there any thorns on the bush?

Either way - Sounds like a flavoured gin making session is on the cards!

These are the sloes outside my back door in London.

Taste them! You'll know if their sloes if they are so sour they suck all the moisture from your mouth. Look more like damsons to me, taste like a sharper plum, delicious in crumble or jam.

Yours hang lower! I’m moving towards thinking you have damsons and I was wrong.

Next time I go down the garden I will investigate if there are thorns. I didn't see any but I wasn't looking for them

Right, I've got close ups!! Hand there for size. Some nobly bits on the branches, and then some longish pointy bits (could be long thorns?) but covered in leaves which makes me question whether or not it's a thorn? Any ideas?

This is what it looks like on the inside

Any ideas?!

They’re not sloes. Sloes are rounder and don’t grow along the branch like that. I reckon they’re some kind of plum/damson. I found something similar the other day. Tasted kind of sour though

Damson gets my vote. We have a couple of trees in our garden. You can cook them (with loads of sugar) in fruit puddings (crumble etc) or make jam. I have a load in the fridge which I need to deal with...

They are not sloes, they are almost certainly damsons. If you are certain though, don't eat them.

They are Damsons - we have several trees. You are very lucky, it's said you plant trees for your children but Damsons for your grandchildren!
They don't fruit reliably, we should be good for Damson Gin this year but the last two years have been dire. That said, the Sloes are looking epic this year too!