Are these sloe berries or anything useful?

[stillsleeptraining]

They’re in my local park and I’ve been wondering for years!

I think they are bullaces, they're a cross between a plum & a sloe & great to use for gin or anything you would use plums for but might be sharp, but not as sharp as sloes. I STRESS think, obviously get them checked out first by an expert.

I don't think they're shoes, because shoes have very sharp thorns & I can't see any thorns in the picture.

I don't know about bullaces though

I agree with CherryRipe1 Bullaces or possibly wild plum. You can make jam from them, although you’d need a ton of sugar! But double check first as it’s difficult to be sure from a photo.

Thanks all! @CherryRipe1 @verityveritas how do I double check? Where do you find an expert?!

Download the seek app! I love it.

I would have guessed damson.

researching bullaces now!

take a photo of the bark of the tree - prunus species usually have quite identifiable bark.

Will do!

I would agree with bullaces.

@Thwart They are not damsons.

Bullaces make great jam and a good sub for sloes in gin.

What’s inside them?

https://www.theotherandyhamilton.com/how-to-identify-sloes-make-sloe-gin-etc/

My DDad used to make bullace wine.

Looks like bullaces don’t ripen until October/november.

what makes you so sure they’re not damsons @HouseAshamed ? As far as I can see the main difference with damsons is a slightly more ovoid shape (hard to tell from photo) and earlier ripening.

Damsons would be bigger than sloes but it’s hard to tell how big they are from the photo. I thought they looked sloe size.

Fruit seems to be ripening early this year - blackberries are ready for picking in Wiltshire.

Without wishing to sound pedantic true wild damsons are only very slightly larger than sloes.

OP if the bush is slightly thorny (but not as thorny as blackthorn) then you’ve probably got bullaces. If no thorns, more likely damson.

these candidates are so very closely related that from a culinary point of view it makes very little odds.

I'd have said damson too!