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Do these look like Sloe berries? I'm sure they are just need a little reassurance! Thanks

Certainly does, watch out for the blackthorn spikes, one of the most common ways of getting lockjaw.

Quote from: ACE on August 20, 2017, 17:08:17
Certainly does, watch out for the blackthorn spikes, one of the most common ways of getting lockjaw.

Thanks!

Any tips on identification? The foliage looks quite different depending on the age of the blackthorn bush

Cannot think of any wild British tree that they  could be confused with, there are other plum (such as bullace and damsons) relations, and possibly hybrids, but to my knowledge, none that are harmful. A single tree might be an escaped ornamental of some type but blackthorn ,where it exists, is unlikely to be solitary. As ACE has said, do look out for the 3-4" thorns, they are evil.
Once put one into my knee, it worked as if acupunctured, lost the feeling, and  I was felled  into the remaining entanglement. Not to be repeated!!

Quote from: Tashsteve on August 20, 2017, 17:33:27


Any tips on identification?

Yeh bite one and  if you can't play a tuba afterwards they are sloes.

Quote from: ACE on August 20, 2017, 18:21:18

Quote from: Tashsteve on August 20, 2017, 17:33:27


Any tips on identification?

Yeh bite one and  if you can't play a tuba afterwards they are sloes.

Even if they are Victoria plums, it will not enable me to play a tuba!

Yes, they're sloes but I echo the warning about the thorns so make sure your anti-tetanus jabs are up to date.

Quote from: Tashsteve on August 20, 2017, 16:26:49


Do these look like Sloe berries? I'm sure they are, just need a little reassurance! Thanks

Definitely sloes you can see the thorns, pick them after the first frost.
john   

I am not convinced they are sloe.  They look too big, any chance of a pic with a scale, eg a coin in the picture.  Do not look thorny enough. 
Here a pic showing the blackthorn thorns.
http://www.danish-schnapps-recipes.com/images/sloes-blackthorn-500.jpg

Suggest the bullace.  Also edible.

The sloes round here this year are massive - way bigger then previous years.