Be wary when working around blackthorn. Thick gloves are a must! Blackthorn seems to often carry Staphylococcus aureus, so a scratch or puncture wound can quickly become infected. Some people are susceptible to very small scratches. If you are affected, don't take any chances and go to the doctor/A&E.
The author Roger Deakin called Blackthorn 'the viper of the hedgerows' but the caterpillars of the Brown Hairstreak butterfly feed on them so its an important plant for them
Blackthorn
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David Crook
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Re: Blackthorn
Dead stems are also a 'pig' for puncturing wellies.. Expensive...
The Natural Scrub Handbook - http://publications.naturalengland.org. ... tion/72031#
Download - Section 4.4.7 profiles Blackthorn -
distribution and status, identification, growth characteristics, palatability, value to wildlife
Examples of management techniques to implement example objectives (Enhance; Maintain; Reduce; Eradicate)
(Very tricky - some techniques can misfire and encourage instead of reduce or vice versa)
The Woodland Trust: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees- ... lackthorn/
Buglife recommendations for hedgerows:
https://www.buglife.org.uk/resources/ha ... hedgerows/
Butterfly Conservation:
The BC website has factsheets: Hedgerows for Hairstreaks, and The Brown Hairstreak in the Blackdown Hills https://butterfly-conservation.org/site ... -final.pdf
The butterfly lays eggs on young shoots from suckering growth. Most hedge trimming will remove the eggs. "Suckering Blackthorn at the base of hedges can be some of the best habitat for this butterfly. Strips of this young growth within the field margin need only be a metre wide, and cutting them in sections on a 3 to 5 year rotation will provide a continuity of valuable habitat. "
Sloe Gin:
https://www.countryfile.com/how-to/food ... in-recipe/
Foraging guidelines:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiti ... uidelines/
The Natural Scrub Handbook - http://publications.naturalengland.org. ... tion/72031#
Download - Section 4.4.7 profiles Blackthorn -
distribution and status, identification, growth characteristics, palatability, value to wildlife
Examples of management techniques to implement example objectives (Enhance; Maintain; Reduce; Eradicate)
(Very tricky - some techniques can misfire and encourage instead of reduce or vice versa)
The Woodland Trust: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees- ... lackthorn/
Buglife recommendations for hedgerows:
https://www.buglife.org.uk/resources/ha ... hedgerows/
Butterfly Conservation:
The BC website has factsheets: Hedgerows for Hairstreaks, and The Brown Hairstreak in the Blackdown Hills https://butterfly-conservation.org/site ... -final.pdf
The butterfly lays eggs on young shoots from suckering growth. Most hedge trimming will remove the eggs. "Suckering Blackthorn at the base of hedges can be some of the best habitat for this butterfly. Strips of this young growth within the field margin need only be a metre wide, and cutting them in sections on a 3 to 5 year rotation will provide a continuity of valuable habitat. "
Sloe Gin:
https://www.countryfile.com/how-to/food ... in-recipe/
Foraging guidelines:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiti ... uidelines/