Wild Plum Tree - Prunus americana

The Wild Plum Tree (Prunus americana) is a fruit tree native to North America that will dazzle you with its display of beautiful white flowers. It will provide you with ample juicy fruits to harvest.

Plant Details - Wild Plum Tree

Family: Rosaceae

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Needs: Moist

Height: 15 – 25 ft.

Spread: 15 – 25 ft.

Growth Rate: Slow

Bloom Time: Spring

Flower Color: White

Wildlife Value: Attracts butterflies, birds, bees

Landscape Uses and Maintenance - Wild Plum Tree

Wild Plum Tree is a multitrunked deciduous tree, valuable for both its springtime beauty and its edible fruits.

You can plant this tree to create a windbreak, hedge, or living privacy screen. Train this tree as an espalier for easy to reach fruit if you are looking for a fruit tree with a shorter height – perfect for the gardener looking to make the most of a small space. This is truly a perfect tree for adding to your fruit orchard or edible garden.

This tree is a beautiful, ornamental and edible option. Its fragrant flowers bloom in the spring, giving way to delicious dark reddish purple fruits that ripen in the summer months. It has serrated green leaves. It has dark bark.

Plant this tree in a location that has full sun to partial shade.

This tree prefers well drained and loamy soil. It is able to tolerate many soil textures including clay. However, avoid planting it in compacted soil. Water it regularly.

Prune this tree regularly, thinning out branches to promote a good airflow inside of the tree canopy. This will promote leaves being able to dry out, reducing the potential for fungal infections. Prune when you see damaged, rubbing, or diseased branches. Reducing the number of flowers will make fruits larger and juicier.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Wild Plum Tree is a keystone species, meaning that it is a vital source of food and shelter for wildlife in its native range. You will attract many butterflies, bees, and mammals with this tree! It is a host plant for many butterflies, including the Red Spotted Purple Butterfly.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Bloom Season

Spring

Bloom/Foliage Color

White

Height at Maturity

Over 25 Feet

Care

Wild Plum Trees thrive in well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering, especially during dry periods. They should be trimmed annually to clear dead or diseased wood and shape the tree. Fertilize in early spring for best growth and fruit production.

Plant Reproduction

The Wild Plum Tree spreads through seeds and root suckers.

How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Trees

Bare root trees are shipped dormant without soil, making them lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to plant during the cool months of early spring or fall. To begin, soak the roots in a bucket of water for 4–6 hours before planting to rehydrate them. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil and ample space for the tree’s mature size.

Dig a hole twice as wide as the spread of the roots and deep enough to keep the root flare (where the roots begin to spread from the trunk) at or slightly above ground level. Create a small mound of soil in the center of the hole, spread the roots evenly over it, backfill with native soil, and gently tamp down to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting.

Keep the soil consistently moist (not soggy) during the first growing season, and apply mulch around the base—avoiding direct contact with the trunk—to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Stake the tree if necessary, and prune only to remove dead or damaged branches. With proper care, your bare root tree will establish quickly and grow strong for years to come.

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