Bullaces

[MartiniDave]

Hi Folk.

This is my first post so I'd like to kick off by saying what a great place you've got going here.

Now for the question.

Where I grew up out in the Cambridgeshire fens my dear old Dad introduced me to a small wild plum he called a Bullace. They are a little larger than a cherry and a lovely golden orange colour, best cooked in pies and jams.
Looking through my copy of Ray Mears Bushcraft I notice that the Bullace pictured is a blue colour with a patina rather like a very big sloe.
Are there different types of bullace or was my poor old dad wrong?

Cheers,

Dave

 

[Roger Gregory]

Dave

I think your old Dad was right I've seen yellowy-orange bullaces. The purply blue things are probably domestic plums reverting to type and becoming smaller generation by generation.

But then, what do I know?

Roger

 

[Anonymous]

One book I looked in stated both colours are 'wild' types - I think there is possibly a wide variation in the species as a whole. Certainly, here in Dorset I've found both colours literally growing side by side - and personally I found the purple form tastier!

 

[Nod]

Hello MartiniDave,

Thats funny. I was only reading Ray Mears book last night and saw the Bullace on the pages I was checking. There's loads around me at the moment ( Northants/Lincs/Cambs borders). I thought they were bird cherry at first, and was just checking up before I grabbed a handful and munched them. Having checked out Rays picture, they definitley are Bullace and not Bird Cherry. I haven't seen any of the orange ones though.

 

[stevec]

isn't a bullace a bit like a damson? or am i getiing confused, i get confused easily especially on fridays!
steve

 

[RoJ]

Just in case anyone comes back to this topic, I had grafting stock for plums [St.Julien A]. Had to plant them in an allotment whilst house moving and blackbirds had all the labels. Finally, ten years on in new house, these blossomed and fruited into bullace. Light green/gold with violet high-light on the ripest. Tough skins so pick as droppers, NOT from tree, those aren't ripe.
Tasty, as you say, makes jam comparable with Victoria.
Tree is maybe 3 to 4 m high and 3 m across, so dwarfing for plum grafting. Recommended for garden.,
RoJ