Wild americana Marshall

Species description Wild plum is a thicket-forming small tree or shrub with a stout trunk, spreading branches, and a broad crown. The shrubs have slender stems emerging from a basal crown. If the plum has formed a tree, the trunks are often short and crooked with scaly, black bark. Branches may have spines. Wild plum leaves are alternate, egg-shaped to oval, with sharply toothed margins. The flowers are showy, white, and fragrant, and appear in flat-topped clusters before the leaves in spring. Fruits mature in August to September, shiny, red drupe fruits, with waxy skin and a single seed.

Natural and cultural history The American wild plum occurs throughout much of the U.S. from eastern Canada to , to the intermountain West. Wild grow in woodland communities or ecotones, prairies, pastures, and along streams, ponds, and lake borders. Native Americans may have introduced native plums to the Great Plains and intermountain West before European settlement.

Planting considerations and propagation techniques

Plums can grow 15-20 feet in height and can live for 15-30 years. As an ecotone species, they grow in full sun to partial shade. They naturally occur at elevations from 3,500-7,500 feet, and are considered to be cold hardy to -40F. Wild plums rely on insects for cross-pollination. Plums can grow on a variety of soil types, though they thrive on moist, rich, well-drained loam soils.

Prunus americana may be rooted from dormant hardwood, though this can be difficult. Hardwood cuttings are those cut from mature, dormant wood after the leaves have fallen and before new shoots emerge in spring. Rooted suckers can also be dug from the base of the tree or shrubs in winter. To from seed, remove the pulp or fruit from the seeds of mature fruit. Place the seeds in a 50ºF cooler over the winter. The seeds can also be planted outdoors in the fall to be naturally cold stratified. Germination may occur during the first or second year.

Water needs Wild plums naturally grow in rich soils and moist areas near riparian zones. They are more drought-tolerant than cultivated species, but still require irrigation in managed landscapes.

Care Wild plums are used in hedgerows and wildlife areas. They are not typically trained, though they can be managed for small spaces.

Harvesting and processing The fruit ripens to a shiny, bright red in August or September. The fruits have tough, sour skins and sweet, juicy flesh. Wild plums are eaten fresh and used in jellies and preserves. The plums can also be halved, pitted, and spread on a thin sheet to dry. The fruits are also a valuable food resource for wildlife, a favorite of many bird species.

References and resources Fryer, J. L. 2010. Prunus americana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/. Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Native Plant Database (NPIN). 2014. Prunus americana. http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PRAM for a Future (PFAF). Prunus americana - Marshall. http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+americana Spellenberg, R., C. J. Earle, and G. Nelson. Trees of Western North America. Princeton University Press, 2014. USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center. 2003. Wild Plum: Prunus americana Marsh. http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_pram.pdf

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