The Black Thorn Stick

Location Map to The Black Thorn Stick Shop

Blackthorn: [blák thàwrn] noun 1. Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) is a species of Prunus native to Europe, western Asia, and locally in northwest Africa. 2. A cane or stick made of the stem of this shrub.

It is a deciduous large shrub or small tree growing to 5 m tall, with blackish bark and dense, stiff, spiny branches. The leaves are oval, 2–4.5 cm long and 1.2–2 cm broad, with a serrated margin. The flowers are 1.5 cm diameter, with five slightly creamy-white petals; they are produced shortly before the leaves in early spring, and are hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated. The fruit, called a "sloe" (slae, in the Scots language) is a drupe 10–12 mm diameter, black with a pale purple-blue waxy bloom, ripening in autumn; it is thin-fleshed, with a very strongly astringent flavour when fresh.

Blackthorn is looked upon by some as the best wood for the shaft of a cane. The most popular choice of fine cane makers for shafts would always be this wood. It is a very hard, close-grained wood and if growing from the trunk of the tree or bush, is covered with very sharp, vicious spines. The most notable features of blackthorn wood are the deep reddish-black bark and the numerous knots, which are best when perfected by an excellent cane maker. An experienced cane maker will pick the perfect piece of blackthorn and perfect it into a perfect symmetrical shaft for a cane. This is a very time consuming process because of the meticulous job of rounding the knots into a shaft.

Cultivation and uses: The fruit is similar to a small damson or plum, suitable for preserves, but too tart and astringent for eating, unless deeply frozen, as is practiced in eastern Europe. In rural Britain so-called sloe gin is made from them, though this is not a true gin but a liqueur. In Navarra, Spain, patxaran is a popular liqueur made with sloes. Sloes can also be made into jam and, if preserved in vinegar, are similar in taste to Japanese umeboshi.

It is extensively planted for hedging and for cover for game birds. The small thorns of the plant are relatively common causes of minor wounds in livestock, and these wounds often suppurate until the thorn is expelled or removed.

Straight blackthorn stems have traditionally been made into walking sticks, and in Ireland for making shillelaghs, a club-like weapon.

201A W Main Street
Washington, MO 63090
636.239.7899

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