Native American Plum

This deciduous tree typically grows to 15-25' tall with a broad, spreading crown. Branches and twigs are an attractive dark reddish-brown. Flowers are followed by edible, round, red plums with bright yellow pulp which ripen in early summer. The fruits are perhaps better used for preserves and jellies. Wildlife are attracted to the sweet fruits. Although the plums can be eaten raw, the quality is somewhat poor. The Native American Plum tree, Prunus americana, is also known as the Native Plum, Hedge Plum, Sloe or Wild Plum. This species is usually grown for ornamental value and not for fruit production, however. The leaves turn yellow to red in autumn for great fall color. Native American Plum trees are small, deciduous, single trunk trees or a multi-stemmed shrub which occurs in rocky or sandy soils in woodlands, pastures, abandoned farms, streams and hedgerows. As a shrub, it suckers freely and can form large colonies. The 2 to 5 inch white flowers appear in early spring before the foliage appears. ... more