# Damson Tree (*Prunus insititia*)

Damson Trees are special because they produce small, tasty plums! They have pretty flowers in the spring.

- **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and orchards
- **Also known as:** Damson Plum

![Damson Tree](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426619/objects/4820.jpg)

## Appearance

The Damson Tree is a small, deciduous tree known for its abundance of dark purplish-blue, oval-shaped fruits. It has small, finely toothed, dull green leaves and often grows with a somewhat thorny, bushy habit, distinct from larger plum varieties.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Rosales
- **Family:** Rosaceae
- **Genus:** Prunus

## Interesting facts

- A single Damson tree can produce hundreds of pounds of fruit in a good year!
- Damson plums were once used to dye fabrics a rich purple color!
- Damson wood is very dense and fine-grained, sometimes used for small crafts!
- These trees are ancient, brought to Britain by the Romans thousands of years ago!

## Special abilities

- **Fruitful Spreader:** Damson Tree can produce tart, deep purple fruits that attract birds and mammals, helping to widely spread its seeds and colonize new areas.
- **Hardy Survivor:** Damson Tree has a remarkable resilience to cold and various soil types, allowing it to thrive in diverse and challenging climates.
- **Self-Pollinator:** Damson Tree can self-pollinate, meaning a single tree can produce fruit and seeds without needing another tree nearby for reproduction.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 3-6 m
- **Spread:** 3-5 m
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Size:** 15-30 cm
- **Lifespan:** 20-50 years
- **Fruit Type:** Drupe
- **Growth Rate:** Medium
- **Leaf Type:** Deciduous

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Vital for flowering, collecting nectar and pollen.
- **Eaten by:** Blackbird (*Turdus merula*) — Eats ripe fruits, dispersing seeds far and wide.
- **Eats:** [Roe deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/roe-deer) (*Capreolus capreolus*) — Browses on young leaves and shoots, especially in winter.
- **Shelter:** Two-spotted ladybird (*Adalia bipunctata*) — Ladybirds shelter on the leaves, preying on aphids.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
- [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Damson Tree?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Damson Tree?

3-6 m

### How wide does Damson Tree spread?

3-5 m

### Is Damson Tree edible?

Yes

### How big is Damson Tree?

15-30 cm

### How long does Damson Tree live?

20-50 years

### Where is Damson Tree usually found?

Gardens and orchards

### What kind of fruit does Damson Tree produce?

Drupe

## More Trees

- [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*)
- [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*)
- [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*)
- [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*)

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Source: [Damson Tree: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/damson-tree)