Sloe berries come from which tree?

Sloe berries grow on blackthorn, a spiny tree or bush in the rose family. It is native to Europe, western Asia, and locally in northwest Africa. It is also locally naturalized in New Zealand, Tasmania and eastern North America.

Spiny and densely branched, mature trees can grow to a height of around 6–7m and live for up to 100 years. The dark brown bark is smooth, and twigs form straight side shoots which develop into thorns. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil and thrives in full sunlight. The tree grows naturally in scrub, copses and woodland, but is commonly used as a hedging plant.

The fruits are used to make sloe gin in Britain and patxaran in Basque regions. The wood is used to make walking sticks, including the Irish shillelagh. Sloes are also used as a flavouring to deliver a rich plumminess, especially in sloe wine, whisky, jelly, syrup and chocolate.