Plum Trees

Plum Trees For Sale by Gurney's

Types of Plum Trees: Choosing The Right Plum Tree Varieties For Your Garden

When buying plum trees, make sure the variety you choose is suitable for your hardiness zone. Gardeners can choose from three types of plums: European, Japanese and American. European plums are often oval-shaped, used for drying and generally grown in zones 5-8. Japanese plums are often round, used for fresh eating and generally grow in zones 5-9. American plums, sometimes called bush plums, have smaller fruits and are the most cold hardy, often to zone 3 or 4. Depending on the variety, the fruits may be clingstones or freestones. Standard plum trees grow about 15-25 ft. tall, while dwarf size or Reachables plum trees, usually grow about 8 ft. tall.

Getting Started with Plum Trees

Plum trees grow best in full sun and in a 6.5 soil pH. Avoid planting them in low-lying areas that might be prone to late frosts.

How to Plant Plum Trees

Bareroot and potted plum trees are usually planted in the spring. Dig a hole that is about twice the size of the root ball. Plant the tree at the same depth it was growing in the nursery. Water thoroughly after planting. During the first year after planting, water the tree when the soil begins to dry. The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged.

How to Properly Pollinate Plum Trees

Some plum tree varieties are self-pollinating, and some require another plum tree as a pollinator. Stanley Plum, a European variety that produces freestone fruits, does not require a pollinator. In its product descriptions, Gurney's lists whether a second plum tree is needed as a pollinator.

When to Prune Plum Trees

The best time to prune plum trees is in late winter or early spring. Trees can also be pruned in early summer.

How to Prune Plum Trees

Pruning improves fruit production and increases light penetration and air circulation. Most gardeners prune European plums with a modified central leader system and Japanese plums with an open-vase system. Because American plum trees are more bush like, they are pruned as either shrubs or small trees.When pruning fruit trees, start by pruning out dead, diseased or damaged branches. Don't remove more than 25 percent of the tree's branches.

When Do Plum Trees Produce Fruit?

Standard plum trees usually produce fruits about 3-6 years after planting, while dwarf or Reachables plum trees may produce fruits about 1-3 years after planting.

How Big Do Plum Trees Get?

Standard plum trees grow about 15-25 ft. tall, though can be kept smaller with pruning. Dwarf or Reachables plum trees usually grow about 8 ft. tall.

How Long Do Plum Trees Live?

Plum trees often live 15-30 years.

Check out the other Gurney's fruit tree varieties in standard size or dwarf size! Looking for more information? Check out our blog on how to plant and care for fruit trees.