Bruce Plum Tree

If you have hot, dry summers and occasional frost in low lying areas where you live, try the tasty Bruce Plum Tree (Prunus salicina x angustifolia 'Bruce'). Introduced by A.L Bruce of Donley, Texas in 1921 this American hybrid has become one of the tastiest, hardiest and easy-to-grow plums available to the home grower today.

Bruce is a hybrid cross of the Abundance plum, a Japanese type cultivar (which was a Luther Burbank introduction in 1888), and the common American Chickasaw plum varieties of North America. The Bruce Plum tree gives you the best of both its parents.

Bruce Plum performs like a champ in the dry heat of the West, and higher humidity heat of the South. It can handle occasional frost in low lying areas without any problem.

First noted in Texas for its disease resistance, the Bruce gained in popularity throughout the country. It has really been a star in the home garden market.

One of its most prized qualities is its early ripening, especially in milder climates. This variety also is a heavy setting selection. It's very rare you'll have a year without a crop.

As you can imagine, Bruce is easy to grow and easy to love.

Particularly well suited for the Northern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Northern New Mexico regions, where hot dry summer climates favor early harvesting varieties.

Please note, Bruce is generally not self-fruitful. For the best fruit set, be sure to plant a Japanese type cultivar for cross-pollination. Methley Plum ripens a bit later than Bruce and is a good partner.

Place your order now, this variety is in high demand!

How to Grow Bruce Plum Fruit Trees

Bruce starts blooming in early spring with an abundance of beautiful, paper-white flowers. Around the start of June, the fruit has grown and is ready to pick and eat!

Bruce will give you especially large plums that feature rich red skin. Deep yellow/orange flesh has a sweet, mellow flavor. Together with the sweet-tart zip of the skin, the flavor is nicely balanced.

You can eat this delicious fruit straight from the tree. Or, use it in your favorite plum recipes. Jams, preserves, cobblers, you name it.

Bruce stays small, so it is great in urban orchards or even in big pots on a patio or balcony. In general, you can expect two or three bushels of plums from every Bruce Plum tree every summer fruiting season! Your neighbors will be wondering where you're getting all of the fruit, since you'll have an abundance to share.

Tell them you got them from your friend, Bruce.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Give your Bruce Plum tree a spot in full sun. It prefers well-drained soil that has been amended with compost.

If poor drainage is suspected, elevate your planting 12 to 18 inches above the soil line by planting in a mound or raised bed. Mulch your tree to 3 to 4 inches deep to 3 feet outside of the canopy.

While young, give the tree an even amount of moderate water. Once it's established in your soil, it is largely drought tolerant.

Keep Bruce pruned in a vase shape. Pick three main scaffold limbs to encourage a full, upright shape.

Thin out heavy crops by at least 50%. This will help increase the size of mature fruit.

Bruce is an easy care plum that is productive and disease resistant. Let it color your world with spring blossoms and flavor your world with an abundance of sweet fruit. Order today!

Plum Tree Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for Bruce Plum Trees to bear fruit?

Nature Hills Nursery sells fruit trees with mature root systems that are already three to four years old, so you’ll enjoy fruit sooner than you would with younger trees! Expect young Plum trees to begin fruiting usually by the 2nd to 4th year after they establish in your landscape.

How big do Bruce Plum trees grow? How fast do Plum trees grow?

The Bruce Plum tree can grow to a mature height of 12-20 feet and a mature width of 12-15 feet. 

Once your Plum tree has been established (after the first year), it can typically add 13-24 inches of new growth per growing season. If your plants are growing less than that in a season, it may be worth your while to check the fertility level.

Where is the best place to plant a Bruce Plum Trees?

Plum trees grow best in well-drained, fertile soil in at least 6 hours of full sun per day or more. Provide good air circulation and moderate, yet consistent water in well-drained, fertile soil.

Do You Need 2 Plum Trees to Produce Fruit?

The Bruce Plum trees are not self fertile, so planting more than one Plum tree that blooms at about the same time, boosts yields on both trees and extends your harvest time! 

• a href="/plum-tree-methley" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Methley Plum Tree

No room? Look into High-Density Planting techniques, or choose a semi-dwarf or dwarf fruit tree.

When Should Bruce Plum Tree be Planted?

Bareroot Plum trees can be planted in spring when they are available in your area. Container-grown Plum trees can be very successfully transplanted all throughout the growing season. Check for first and last frost dates for your area with your local County Extension Office.

• Plant bareroot Plum trees in the early spring.
• Plant container-grown trees anytime the ground is not frozen by digging a hole as deep as the soil line and twice as wide.

How Do I Find Bruce Plum Trees for Sale Near Me?

Make your life easier and your landscape tastier by shopping for Plum trees at NatureHills.com online fruit tree nursery. You’ll find a massive selection of fruit trees for sale, including many lovely Plum tree varieties!

Choose the right tree for your area by first finding your USDA growing zone by entering your zip code in the field above the Plant Highlights section on our product pages. Narrow down your options by plant hardiness zone, sun availability, and size requirements.

Place your order, knowing it’s backed by the Nature Hills Nursery product guarantee and protected by Plant Sentry™, which helps ensure regulated plant materials aren’t sent to prohibited areas.

Expect to receive your plants at the appropriate planting time for your growing zone when temperatures are safest for those plants that ship in fall, winter, or early spring.

Shop the selection of mature Plum trees for sale at Nature Hills Nursery and place your order for Bruce Plum Tree today.

What shipping options do you offer?

NatureHills.com works closely with our growers and nursery professionals to ensure we ship when it is most appropriate for your area. Our goal is to deliver the hardiest plants by avoiding extreme high and low temperatures. Check out our shipping schedule for more information and to learn our wills and won’ts when it comes to shipping plants. Find your Bruce Plum Tree for sale here at NatureHills.com!