Wild Plum Tree

Wild plum tree for sale here is Prunus americana, also called the American plum tree, a native that fills with fragrant white flowers in early spring and red-purple fruit by midsummer. We ship it bare-root in 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 foot sizes, in packs of 25, 50, 100 and 500, for wildlife plantings, hedgerows, native orchards and wholesale buyers.

Wild Plum Tree Size, Zones and Sun

Wild plum grows 15 to 25 feet tall and about as wide, and it's hardy in zones 3 to 9. It likes full sun and takes part shade. Clay, loam and sand all work if drainage is decent, and soil with plenty of organic matter suits it best. It can handle an occasional dry spell.

Wild Plum Flowers and Fruit

Clusters of white, fragrant flowers open in early spring, roughly March to April, before the leaves. The round fruit follows, red-purple to burgundy with yellow flesh, about an inch across, ripe in July and August. Eaten raw, the plums are tart. They make better jam, jelly and dried plums.

Wild Plum and Wildlife

The fruit disappears fast. Songbirds, turkeys, quail, deer and small mammals all go for it, and the early flowers give bees and other pollinators something to work in March and April. For more trees that do the same job, see our guide to native trees for wildlife and pollinators.

Where to Plant Wild Plum

Hedgerows, field edges, wildlife strips and the back corner of an orchard are the usual spots. Wild plum suckers freely and builds a thicket over time, which helps if you want cover or a windbreak. In a tidier yard, plant it where you can mow around it. For companions, try our edible native trees and shrubs guide.

Planting Wild Plum Bare-root

Soak the roots for an hour, dig a hole wide enough to spread them, and plant at the depth the tree grew. Firm the soil and water well. Mulch, and water weekly through the first summer.

Buying Wild Plum Trees in Bulk

A pack of 50 set 10 feet apart makes a thicket row about 500 feet long. The 1-2 foot size is the easiest to plant at scale, and the 3-4 foot trees give a quicker start where you want cover sooner.

Good to Know About Wild Plum

The suckers spread, so pull or mow them to hold a boundary. Side branches can be thorny. Plum curculio and brown rot can hit the fruit, and black knot, leaf spot, aphids and tent caterpillars show up in some years. Don't eat the pits, because they contain compounds that are poisonous.

Wild Plum for Fruit and Jam

Pick plums when they are deep red-purple and a little soft, and cook them into jam or jelly for the best flavor. Birds will beat you to a lot of the crop, so net a branch or two if you want a share.

Wild Plum Tree Sizes, Packs and Shipping

Wild plum trees ship bare-root in November, in 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 foot sizes and packs of 25, 50, 100 and 500. Volume pricing available. Browse more wholesale trees for sale.