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Cherries that look like plums?

LG_LG_ Posts: 4,064
in Fruit & veg

I have a largish flowerjng cherry (pretty white flowers in spring, deep red leaves). I have always assumed that the fruit was inedible. This year they seem to be bigger, and, well, they look like plums...

image

 So I have two questions:

1. Is it actually a plum tree?

2. Will the fruit be edible?

 

'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
- Cicero
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Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 26,996

    The leaves look more like plum than cherry. Also cherries are over, plums are coming on. What do they taste like?



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    All cherries and plums are edible (ie they won't kill you) but whether they taste nice is another matter.  There is only one way to find out..

    I suggest cutting a ripe fruit and holding it against the tip of your tongue.  If it doesn't tingle in an unpleasant way after a few minutes and tastes sweet, then tuck in!

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,064

    I feel really silly now!

    Wil report back on the taste test.

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    No need to feel silly LG - it's a very common question. image

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,064

    I just can't believe I've been calling it a cherry for years and ignoring the fruit. My children LOVE plums too, we could (possibly) have been making use of them for ages. I don't think theyve ever been anywhere near this big before.

    This is the third case of mistaken identity in a week. I am being humbled by my garden!

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 26,996

    Years ago I had a tree I bought as Morus nigra, mulberry. I always had by doubts, it came into leaf too early and the leaves seemed the wrong shape. But I had never seen a mulberry except in books, (no interweb then), and thought I could trust the company that sent it. So I watched it grow to enormous height, sucker across the lawn and eventually produce white flowers and tiny, sharp, little cherriesimage



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,064

    Yep - plums! There are very few at an accessible height, but I'll take your advice 1Rb1 and we may get a pudding image. 

    Thanks all.

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,064

    The suckers are a problem. Perhaps that's a separate post though.

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,357

    Prunus cerasifera is known as the Cherry plum and its Latin name means 'the plum that bears cherries' so you can be excused for your confusion! Some cultivars are grown as ornamentals, other more for their fruit. Mine has had a few fruit in the past, but none this year, it was too cold and windy at pollination, so you are lucky!.

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,586

    The leaf is more plum shaped too. Runny will be happy to see another sideways picture producer. I'm more of an upside down fancier myself.image

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
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