Merryweather Damson Tree
The Highlights
- The juicy, acidic nature of this Damson makes it perfect for cooking, sauces and preserves
- Fruits can also be eaten fresh when ripe and carry a tangy, mildly sweet flavour
- The fruits are unusually large and plump, really quite a spectacle on the tree
- Late harvest - September
- Good disease resistance
- Max size H4m x W4m - SJA Rootstock
- Self fertile (Pollination Group 3) - will produce good crops without pollination
- Damsons can take up to 10-15 years to start producing substantial crops, so you should be prepared for a little wait
- Our potted trees are supplied in EcoPots™.
- Our trees are usually between 18 and 36 months old at the time of dispatch.
- Our trees are professionally pruned before dispatching.
The Highlights
- The juicy, acidic nature of this Damson makes it perfect for cooking, sauces and preserves
- Fruits can also be eaten fresh when ripe and carry a tangy, mildly sweet flavour
- The fruits are unusually large and plump, really quite a spectacle on the tree
- Late harvest - September
- Good disease resistance
- Max size H4m x W4m - SJA Rootstock
- Self fertile (Pollination Group 3) - will produce good crops without pollination
- Damsons can take up to 10-15 years to start producing substantial crops, so you should be prepared for a little wait
- Our potted trees are supplied in EcoPots™.
- Our trees are usually between 18 and 36 months old at the time of dispatch.
- Our trees are professionally pruned before dispatching.
Care Guide
Excellent Pest and Disease Resistance
Shows excellent resistance to the main pests and diseases for plum trees including cracking. There may still be a need to keep an eye out for aphids and caterpillars, which can both be washed away with soapy water. Birds will eat the aphids if given the chance so take steps to prevent this like using a fruit net or bird scarers.MORE
Water in well when planting - read on for ongoing care
Water in thoroughly when planting. For bare root trees, you won't need to water regularly going forward, only water in dry spells when needed. You should be able tell because the leaves will start to wilt and droop. If a container grown tree, it will need more watering until its roots are established. It should be watered every other day or so for the first few months. Then reduce to twice a week until autumn. In the second year it should have a established enough root system to support itself, just water when required as explained above for bare roots. When watering a tree it is important to give a good soaking. It is better to water heavy and less frequently than little and often as this encourages the roots to grow down into the ground.
Full sun
Full sun means receiving direct sun for more than 6 hours each day during the spring/summer
Prefers well drained, loamy soils
Will tolerate less than perfect conditions but may not fruit too well. Will struggle in poorly draining soil.
No need to feed
Don't worry, this isn't a hungry plant so your food bills won't be going up!
For more care tips and ideas visit our Knowledge page
Planting Calendar
- Best time to plant
- Harvest
- Flower