Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L)

Prunus spinosa which translates to Spiny plum in english or as we commonly know it Blackthorn is considered by many stick makers to be one of the finest woods available to make a stick. Traditionally the berries known as slows have been picked to make slow gin. Blackthorn grows generally as a large shrub like plant. It is armed with very sharp needle like thorns. I personally don't think that the thorns are as sharp in the winter time after the fruit has fallen. However thick leather gloves are still a good idea when cutting it. The branches are the most obvious part to use for sticks but blackthorn produces suckers that grow out from the parent plant for several metres. From these new trees grow but the suckers can also be used for stick shanks if you dig for them.

Blackthorn grows in a range of colours from redish brown to black. When cut it is best to leave the side shoots about 15-25mm long. The reason for this is that during seasoning the shoots retract and if cut flush leave an unsightly hole in the shank. Once the shank is seasoned for at least a year, the side shoots can be filed back leaving nice rounded knobbles in the shank as a feature

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