Table of Contents
Most plum trees will reach 16 feet (5 m.) at maturity or 14 feet (4 m.) if they are a dwarf variety. If you live in a more northerly climate, you may consider planting your plum tree in a location where it will have protection from cold winds, as they are prone to late frost damage.
How fast does a plum tree grow?
This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24″ per year.
Do I need 2 plum trees to produce fruit?
Plums are a stone fruit that are both delicious and beautiful. Most plum trees are not self-pollinating, so you will need to plant at least two plum trees to bear fruit. When planting a plum tree, it is important to make sure that the variety you choose will grow well in your climate.
How long does it take for a plum tree to bear fruit?
Plum trees begin to bear when they are three to six years of age. You can tell right after bloom if your tree will set fruit. Inspect the terminal ends after blossom drop.
How much space does a plum tree need to grow?
Standard-size trees need at least twenty feet of space, while dwarf varieties need at least ten feet.
Are plums easy to grow?
Growing plum trees is not too difficult as long as you give them what they need. Plums require full sun and well-drained, sandy soil in order to thrive. Many of the European varieties are self-fruiting, which means that you only need to plant one tree in order to get fruit.
Do plum trees have invasive roots?
A plum tree does not have a notorious root system, one that heaves up sidewalks, for instance. These feeder roots extend horizontally to the edge of the leaf canopy, or drip line, and beyond up to 1 1/2 times the height of the tree. A few anchoring “sinker” roots grow down several feet to stabilize the tree.
What month do plum trees produce fruit?
Plum trees produce fruit between June and September, after blooming in late winter to early spring. Dwarf varieties can produce fruit a year sooner (2 to 5 years after planting). Plum trees produce more fruit as they grow large enough to support the extra weight.
Will an apple tree pollinate a plum tree?
Cross pollination is essencial for apples, pears, cherry and plums. The same variety of tree will not pollinate itself, but requires a different variety to pollinate with. Apples only pollinate apples, pears only pollinate pears, plums only pollinate plums and so on.
What is the easiest fruit tree to grow?
The easiest fruit tree to grow for beginners is usually an apple tree, which has the benefit of being such a popular, versatile fruit. ‘If you are seeking a more low-maintenance fruit tree, look to the plum or peach trees, which require less care than other fruit trees,’ adds Smith.
What’s the slowest growing tree?
Answer: The world’s slowest growing tree is a White Cedar, located in Canada. After 155 years, it has grown to a height of 4 inches and weighs only 6/10th of an ounce. The tree can be found on a cliff side in the Canadian Great Lakes area.
How long do plum trees live?
Like peach and nectarine trees, plum trees are among the shorter-lived species of fruit tree. On average, they may only live for 20-30 years, even less if they fall victim to a storm or an invasion of insects or disease.
Do plum trees fruit every year?
Fruit such as apples and plums may fruit in alternate years. This is known as biennial bearing. A generally poor crop, but vigorous growth. Performance may decline over several years.
Where is the best place to plant a plum tree?
Selecting a Planting Site Plant plum trees in loamy, well-drained soil. Plums do not do well when planted in clay-heavy soils or in locations where their roots will be constantly wet. Choose a planting location that receives full sun—6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight at the very least.
Where should I plant a plum tree?
Plums grow best in a sunny spot in well-drained, fertile soil. Most trees in the plum family come in sizes to suit all gardens. If you choose your tree carefully you can train it into your preferred shape – as a standard or fan.
How close to a house can you plant a plum tree?
Wall-trained trees should be planted at least 20cm (8 inches) from the wall to allow for the radial growth of the trunk. To keep root problems to a minimum, dig the planting hole about 20cm-40cm away from the wall, and lean the young tree into the wall, so that the roots are away from the base of the wall.
Are plums poisonous to dogs?
The flesh of the plum is not poisonous, but it is not uncommon for a dog to develop diarrhoea after it eats plums. The pit contains a substance that can be poisonous to dogs, but the dog has to chew and break the pit and eat many of them in order to become affected.
How tall do flowering plum trees get?
The plum tree is a medium-sized tree which will reach 20 to 25 feet in height. It has a crown of 15 feet that comes to life every spring and winter. The flowers on the trees are a beautiful shade of pink, red or white, and have a strong fragrance.
When should you plant a plum tree?
Technically, you can plant your plum tree any time from late Autumn to early Spring. The best time to plant is in October when the soil is moist but still retains some of the summer warmth. Soil preparation is best done a month or more before planting so that the soil has time to settle.
