Maintenance Landscaping Design

Wild plum is a plant that produces a fruit that is often used in pies and jams. The tree is also used for its wood, which is a reddish brown color.

Alternative name

• American Plum
  
• Canada Plum
  
• Common Plum
  
• European Plum
  
• Japanese Plum

Things to Know

• Wild plum trees are deciduous trees that can grow up to 30 feet tall.
  
• Wild plum trees have dark green leaves that are 3-6 inches long and 2-3 inches wide.
  
• Wild plum trees produce small, round, purple fruits that are about 1 inch in diameter.
  
• The fruits of wild plum trees are edible and can be eaten fresh or used in jams and pies.
  
• Wild plum trees are native to North America and can be found in the eastern and central United States.
  
• Wild plum trees thrive in full sun and well-drained soils.
  
• Wild plum trees are relatively pest and disease resistant.
  
• Wild plum trees are generally propagated by grafting or rooting hardwood cuttings.
  
• Wild plum trees start bearing fruit at an early age and can produce for many years.
  
• Wild plum trees are a food source for many birds and animals, including deer, bears, and raccoons.

Related plant:
Wild Privet

Growing Steps

1. For wild plum, first step is to find a good location where there is plenty of sunlight and the soil is well-drained.
   
2. Then, clear the area of any debris and remove any weeds.
   
3. Next, loosen the soil with a shovel or tiller to a depth of about 12 inches.
   
4. After that, add some organic matter to the soil such as compost or manure.
   
5. Next, take your wild plum tree and dig a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball.
   
6. Place the tree in the hole and backfill with the loosened soil.
   
7. Water the tree well to help settle the soil.
   
8. Stake the tree if necessary.
   
9. Then, wait for the wild plum tree to produce fruit. This can take several years.
   
10. Once the tree produces fruit, enjoy your homegrown plums!

Related plant:
Wild Rose Plant

Soil Condition

About soil condition, wild plum grow in a large range of soil conditions, from deep, moist, well-drained soils to shallow, rocky or dry soils. It is one of the few fruit trees that can tolerate wet feet and still produce a good crop. It can also tolerate a wide range of pH levels, from 5.0 to 8.0.

Light condition

Like the other fruit-bearing trees, the wild plum needs full sun to produce a bountiful crop of fruit. Wild plum trees are relatively small, so they can be grown in even the smallest of yards. They are also quite hardy and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition for wild plum is chilly. This means that the plant can withstand cold temperatures, but it does best in moderate to warm weather. When the temperature gets too hot, the leaves of the wild plum will start to droop and the fruit will not be as sweet.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. If the humidity falls below this, the leaves will start to curl and drop off. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will become yellow and start to drop off as well.

The Fertilizer

Regarding fertilizer, this kind of plant doesn't need too much. In fact, too much fertilizer can actually hurt the plant. When it comes to the roots, wild plums have relatively shallow roots. This is one of the reasons why they are often found near the edge of forests - the roots don't have to go too deep to find nutrients.

About light

Pruning is an important part of caring for a wild plum tree. Pruning helps to encourage new growth, and it also helps to keep the tree healthy. When pruning a wild plum tree, be sure to remove any dead or damaged branches.

About Propagating

Propagation of wild plum (Prunus americana) is typically done through softwood cuttings taken from the current year's growth. The cuttings should be 4-6 inches long and taken from healthy, disease-free branches. Cuttings should be taken from the lower portion of the branch and have at least two buds. The bottom 2 inches of the cutting should be dipped in rooting hormone and placed in a well-drained potting mix. The pot should be kept in a warm, humid location out of direct sunlight. Cuttings should be kept moist and not allowed to dry out. After 4-6 weeks, roots should have formed and the cutting can be transplanted to a permanent location.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the number of site factors. The average size of a wild plum tree is 20 feet tall with a spread of about 15 feet. The leaves are alternate, simple, and obovate with toothed margins. The flowers are white, borne in clusters, and have 5 petals. The fruit is a fleshy drupe, 0.5–1.0 inch in diameter, ripening black or dark purple in late summer. The tree's growth is rapid when young, but it slows to a medium rate with age.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant plants include canker, leaf spot, and powdery mildew. These diseases can be controlled with fungicide sprays. The most serious pest of wild plum is the plum curculio, which can cause significant damage to the fruit. Other pests include scale, aphids, and caterpillars.

Tips on Growing

• Make sure to plant your wild plum in an area that gets full sun.
  
• Wild plum plants need well-drained soil.
  
• Water your wild plum regularly, especially during hot, dry periods.
  
• Fertilize your wild plum every year in early spring.
  
• Prune your wild plum annually to maintain its shape and encourage new growth.
  
• Watch for pests and diseases, and take action immediately if you see any problems.
  
• Harvest your wild plums when they are ripe, typically in late summer or early fall.
  
• Store your wild plums in a cool, dry place.
  
• Use your wild plums within a few days of picking, or preserve them for later use.
  
• Enjoy your homegrown wild plums!

Related Plants

• Alcea rosea, common name hollyhock or althaea rosea, is a species of flowering plant in the malvaceae family, native to the Caucasus, Iran and Turkey.
  
• Althaea officinalis, the marsh mallow, is a perennial species indigenous to Europe, Western Asia and North Africa.
  
• Arachis hypogaea, commonly known as the peanut or groundnut, is a species in the legume family native to South America.
  
• Arachis pintoi, commonly known as the Lima peanut or Peruvian peanut, is a species in the legume family native to South America.
  
• Arachis hypogaea var. fastigiata, commonly known as the erect peanut or bush peanut, is a variety of peanut native to South America.
  
• Caragana arborescens, commonly known as the Siberian pea-tree or tree pea

Source:
Office 365 - Student/Teacher Signup - kb.plu.edu
An Overview of Wild Pigs | Wild Pigs - Texas A&M University
Wild Rice Database - Wild Rice - ucanr.edu