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Blackthorn
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 3:18 pm
by David Crook
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
Re: Blackthorn
Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:06 pm
by Amy
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/