Plum

Category: fruit-trees

Growing

  • 📍 Zone: 4-9
  • 🌞 Sun: Full sun
  • 💧 Water: Average
  • 🌱 Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic; hilltop or slope ideal

Planting

  • 📏 Height: 10-20 feet
  • 📏 Spacing: 10-20 feet
  • 📅 When To Plant: Plant bare-root trees in early spring in a low wind area
  • 🌱 Propagation: Grafting
  • ⬇️ Depth: Deep planting
  • 🤝 Companion:
    • 0: Other plum varieties for improved pollination and yield
  • 🚫 Avoid Planting Near:

    Care & Maintenance

    • ✂️ Pruning:
      • 0: Prune during dormancy (similar to other fruit trees like apple and peach)
      • 1: Remove weak, diseased, or damaged branches
      • 2: Remove water sprouts and suckers
      • 3: Thin out crowded or crossing branches to improve airflow and structure
    • Thinning: Thin fruits to leave 2-4 inches between plums on the branch

    Harvesting & Usage

    • ⏰ When To Harvest: When fully colored and slightly soft to the touch
    • ✋ How To Harvest: Gently twist and pull to detach from the branch
    • Notes: Plum trees typically decline in productivity after 15-20 years

    Ecological Info

    • 🐝 Pollinators:
      • 0: Bees
      • 1: Some varieties are self-fertile but most benefit from nearby plum varieties