Fruit and nut is undertaking trials of a number of plum and damson cultivars in order to determine suitability for Irish conditions. The cultivars being trialled include varieties from Norway, Sweden, Scotland, England, France, Belgium and the United States.

Of particular interest are damson and plum varieties traditionally associated with Norway, Sweden, Scotland and the west of England.

A mojor influence on the direction of our research is the cherry and plum growing district of Handangerfjord in Western Norway. Situated southeast of Bergen at a latitude of 60 degrees North - further north than Scotland's Shetland islands - Handangerfjord's orchards are an impressive testimony of how to get the most out of challenging environments.

What is very clear from the research done in the damp maritime micro-climate of Norway's western fjords is that plums have the potential to do very well in Ireland. Among the key factors are appropriate choice of variety, and sheltered, well-draining sites where vegetation around the trees is carefully managed or suppressed with mulching