Cherry Plum, Myrobalan Plum
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size 15-30' tall and 15-25' wide, a small shrubby tree, twiggy and rounded. Branches are ascending and spreading. Fast growth rate. Short lived, generally 20 years or less.

Native Range

Native to western Asia, Caucasia. Introduced to trade 16th century or before.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are perfect, white, 0.75-1" wide, very fragrant, open early to mid-April before the leaves, usually borne solitary. Reddish or purplish drupe fruit, slightly bloomy, edible, approximately 1" across, June-August.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Alternately arranged, simple leaves, 1.5-2.5" long, 1-1.25" wide, finely serrated, pointed, bright green above, green below, pubescent on midrib & major ribs underneath, on a petiole about 0.5" long. 2 glands (bumps) may be at leaf base at top of petiole. Insignificant fall foliage color.

Culture and Care

Transplant in the spring into well-drained soil. Otherwise adaptable to most soil types and pH. Full sun. Best pruned after flowering, but this reduces fruit production. Keep vigorously growing to fend off disease and insect problems. Zones (4)5-8. Susceptible to many diseases and insects, primary concerns are aphids, borers, scale, tent caterpillars, black knot fungus (common), canker, leaf spots (common).

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Good wildlife value. Not pollution tolerant, susceptible to many diseases. This tree has minimal value as a species, but its cultivars are widely used.

Suggested Uses

Straight-species seldom used, but various cultivars, particularly the purple-leaved types, can be used for specimens, groupings and foundation plantings - with the understanding that they will be short-lived.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA