Blackthorn - not Blackadder :)

[okeydokey]

I have some Blackthorn thats been growing taller and taller over the last 20 years or so to the extent that the main trunk is now 6" or so in diameter and in the recent wind has fallen sideways (wet ground) from the field adjoining the end of the garden and now I reluctantly need to gradually trim it and so carefully into small manageable pieces to either bonfire or put it whence it came (no problem in doing that) - but there is a useful 3 metres or so of trunk that could harvest.
Is it good for turning or anything at all? any ideas Is it a hardwood?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Prunus spinosa, iirc. Yes, it's a hardwood, and yes it turns nicely. Be careful of the thorns - they travel under the skin and go septic quickly.

 

[stuckinthemud]

One of the very best for making longbows, if you were in the southwest I'd be with you tomorrow

 

[mikej460]

I've got a large thicket of the stuff in one of the paddocks and it self seeds like mad. I've only ever burnt it but one day I want to make make a nice walking staff.

 

[Suffolkboy]

Yep. Prunus Spinosa.

Brilliant firewood. I turned a bowl out of a blackthorn root ball a while ago and it was lovely.

 

[ecokestove]

It's been a long time since i persuaded an innocent person to try a sloe. 'Go on, just like a tiny plum,' I say. What fun! Ok, a bit cruel.

 

[pidgeonpost]

For what it's worth (not much) I read years ago that blackthorn was supposedly the preferred wood for pegging M&T joints in early woodworking.
I should imagine a good gnarly bit would make a good head for a mallet too.

 

[joshvegas]

Good for walking sticks especially if you want to get a bit "hitty" with it.

 

[boggy]

Yes, the Irish walking stick/cudgel or shillelagh was traditionally made from blackthorn. Wikipedia has a description and details of how to make them.

 

[pe2dave]

Sloe gin? Nectar of the Gods.

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

Nectar

Try slow run. Even better.

Edit: sloe rum is better still! Blinking non-predictive text.

 

[heronviewer]

It turns well - nice colours in the wood - it is plum family.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Sloe gin? Nectar of the Gods.

and mix the sludge left from making it with mincemeat for mince pies. Wonderful, and no waste.

 

[okeydokey]

Thanks folks -I have made sloe gin before superb
re the wood now its down still in one "trunk" although not straight for the full length maybe I should cut it into 3 foots or so and seal the ends and get round to it in due course it will still be green though. I could try a couple of small bowls first to see how it goes. or leave it in one long piece? whatsayyou

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Keep it as long as possible as long as possible.

 

[Lakeburch]

You're very lucky to get blackthorn 6" diameter, most of it seems to be just large shrubs at least what I can find. I think I read somewhere that it's a very hard timber and used to be used for mallets etc?

 

[MCTWoodwork]

My missus makes, slow gin, rum and whisky for Xmas and New Year... 'Tis lovely stuff on a cold winters evening I thought blackthorn timber was used for rake teeth back in the day?

 

[okeydokey]

Thank you all for the info - appreciated.
Just for the fun of it I googled Blackthorn Logs seems you can sell them at £42 a pop for 20kg

 

[Ozi]

Try slow run. Even better.

Edit: sloe rum is better still! Blinking non-predictive text.

You Sir are a genius I must try that

 

[Ozi]

We have a patch of blackthorn on the farm also know as arrrgh bast ard trees - totaly agree with the warning about the thorns, getting a panicking goat out of a thicket should be an Olympic sport, much better watched than participated in.