American Plum – Prunus americana

I fell in love with the American plum as I watched our young trees develop into fruit-bearing trees. While immature fruit can be chalky, you will enjoy watching the green bulbs move from pink-orange-purple as they ripen during the early weeks of August.

If the rain and sun work out just right, the mature fruit of an American plum tree that has gone through at least a couple seasons of fruit-bearing provide a sweetness that makes it worth the wait.

Plum blossoms, April 2009

Plum blossoms, MDA Biocontrol Facility, April 2009

American plum blossoms, April 2009

Plum tree in bloom, April 28, 2009

American plums are one of the smaller versions of plum varieties in North America. They are dwarf trees that can fill up a small without bothering your home’s telephone or electric wires.