Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosacea
Subfamily: Prunoideae
Genus: Prunus
Subgenus: Prunus

General Info

The plum is a stone fruit tree.

Its different from other trees of the same familiy like peacher, cherries, etc.   in the shoots having a terminal bud and the side buds solitary (not clustered).

The flowers being grouped 1-5 together on short stems, and the fruit having a groove running down one side, and a smooth stone.

Plum fruit is sweet, juicy and edible, and it can be eaten fresh or used in jam-making or other recipes.

Plum juice can be fermented into plum wine, when distilled, this produces a brandy.

Dried plums are known as prunes, sweet and juicy, they contain several antioxidants that may slow aging.

Plant two varieties for best pollination. Plant on 15 ft. centers.

Pruning

Plums require minimum pruning. Prune mature trees to thin excessive and interfering branches. Prune tall growing branches only to preserve the height of the tree. If desired, scaffold branches for varieties with upright growth may be established during the first two years after planting as indicated for peaches.

Planting Info

Spacing  20' x 20'

Soil PH  6.0

Moisture Requirement Moderate

Pruning Requirement Low

VARIETIES

AU PRODUCER - Japanese plum. Introduction from Auburn University. Medium-size red fruit with moderately firm and red flesh. Good flavor. Has good resistance to many diseases. Ripens in early June.

BRUCE - Japanese plum. Produces large amount of brilliant wine red fruit with red flesh. Large size. Excellent fruit quality for canning. Bears at young age. Must have pollinator. Ripens early to mid-June.

BURBANK - Large, purplish red fruit with sweet yellow flesh. Excellent for eating fresh and canning. Bears early and sets heavily. Ripens mid-July.

CRIMSON - Delicious round crimson fruit with red flesh. Heavy producer. Highly disease resistant. Good for fresh eating and making jam and jelly. Harvest in early June.

METHLEY - Japanese plum. Vigorous tree with upright shape. Heavy bearer. Medium to large reddish-purple fruit with red flesh. Excellent quality. Distinctive sweet mild flavor. Popular home garden variety. Excellent for fresh eating or processing. Good pollinator for Bruce and Morris. Ripens early June.

MORRIS Large, round red fruit with bright red flesh. Crisp and firm with outstanding flavor. Needs pollinizer. Excellent production when planted with Ozark Premier or Methley. Ripens in mid-June.

OZARK PREMIER - Japanese plum. Large juicy fruit with bright red skin. Flesh yellow, firm and fine grained. Flavor tart and good. High yielder. Resistant to bacterial spot. Ripens mid-June.

SANTA ROSA - Japanese plum. One of the most popular commercial and home-garden varieties. Large, pretty, freestone plum. Skin is purplish to crimson with yellow flesh. Fruit is juicy and tart; excellent flavor; keeps well. Prolific bearer. Self fertile, but better production with cross-pollination. Ripens mid to late June.