Wild plum, also called American plum is a small, fast-growing, short-lived, colony-forming native tree, commonly found along fencerows, open fields, and roadsides. Abundant tiny white flowers open before the leaves emerge in spring. Plums appear in late summer.
This species is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research.
- Family (English) Rose
- Family (botanic) Rosaceae
- Planting site Residential and parks, Under utility lines
- Tree or plant type Tree
- Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
- Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America
- Size range Small tree (15-25 feet)
- Mature height 15-25 feet
- Mature width 15-25 feet
- Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
- Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
- Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
- Drought tolerance Tolerant
- Other tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Dry sites, Wet sites
- Season of interest early spring, mid spring, early fall, mid fall
- Flower color and fragrance White
- Shape or form Thicket-forming
- Growth rate Moderate
- Transplants well Yes
- Planting considerations Aggressive, Excessive sucker growth
- Wildlife Birds, Browsers, Insect pollinators, Medium mammals, Small mammals
- Has cultivars Yes
