Native American Plum

Prunus americana

Nature Hills Nursery

$99⁶²

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Full sun is best for a heavy harvest and strong branches. Aim for at least six to eight hours of direct light; while it can handle light shade, you will see fewer flowers and thinner fruit production.
Soil: These plums love well-drained, loamy soil but are famously tough in heavy clay. If your soil is thick and sticky, plant them on a slight mound or add organic compost to improve drainage and prevent "wet feet."

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, give your plum a deep soak of five gallons of water once a week to help the roots dive deep. Once established, the Native American Plum is remarkably drought-tolerant and can handle dry spells without much fuss. However, if you let it get too thirsty during the heat of summer, the fruit may shrivel or drop early before it has a chance to sweeten.

Pruning Tips

This tree blooms on old wood, so the best time to prune is in late winter while it is still dormant to avoid cutting off your spring flower show. Think of pruning like a structural tune-up: remove any suckers coming from the base and thin out the center to let light and air reach the inner branches. This prevents the interior from becoming a tangled "bird's nest" and keeps fungal issues at bay.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell to fuel the upcoming growth spurt. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall. This can trigger a flush of tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost, leaving the tree vulnerable to winter dieback.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Hardy, Ornamental Plum Tree

Native American Plum is a deciduous, single trunk tree or multi-stemmed shrub. Nature Hills Native American Plum is sold as the multi-stemmed form and would work well in your yard as a specimen planting or used in a small hedge. As a shrub, it suckers freely and can form large colonies. It's adaptive to a variety of location and soil conditions and is even drought-tolerant.

Your Native American Plum tree is also known as the Native Plum, Hedge Plum, Sloe or Wild Plum. This variety is usually grown for ornamental value and not for fruit production, although the fruit can be used if you desire.

Clusters of 5-petaled, white flowers appear in spring. Toothed, oblong leaves fill out your tree for summer, quickly followed by the 1-inch, red plums that ripen in early in the season.

The plum flesh is yellow and although suitable for eating raw, is best used in preserves and jellies. Of course if you choose to leave the fruit on your tree, your wildlife is sure to make use of it.

In autumn the leaves turn yellow to red for great fall color. Branches and twigs are an attractive dark reddish-brown, so even through the winter months there is a decorative quality to your Plum tree.

If you'd like a tree for your yard that requires little care yet is lovely to behold (and provides a tasty harvest), then Native American Plum is for you.

Spring and Fall Display
Tasty Fruit
Hardy Native
Wildlife Interest

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Growing Zones 4-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for Native American 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 Native American Plum trees grow? How fast do Plum trees grow?

The Native American Plum tree can grow to a mature height of 12-20 feet and a mature width of 12-20 feet. Once your Plum tree has been established (after the first year), it can typically add 25 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 Native American 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 Native American Plum trees are 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! No room? Look into High-Density Planting techniques, or choose a semi-dwarf or dwarf fruit tree.

When Should Native American 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.

How Do I Find Native American 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 Native American Plum Tree today.