Freestone describes a stone fruit whose flesh separates easily from the pit, as opposed to clingstone varieties, where the flesh clings tightly to the stone. The trait appears in peaches, nectarines, plums, and some cherries, and is the result of selective breeding rather than a naturally universal feature of stone fruit. Freestone fruit is easier to halve, slice, and pit, which makes it the preferred choice for pies, jams, and other preparations that call for clean cuts, while clingstone varieties (often used in canning) tend to be juicier but messier to prepare by hand.