Plum trees are a delightful addition to any garden or orchard. Their blossoms announce the arrival of spring with delicate pink and white flowers, and their branches later become laden with plump, colorful fruit in hues ranging from deep purple and crimson to sunny yellow. With over 2000 varieties to choose from, it’s no wonder plum trees are a favorite of home growers. Read on for a visual guide to identifying different types of plum trees and appreciating their fruit.
Plum Tree Identification
There are a few key features to look for when identifying different types of plum trees
Flowers
- Plum tree blossoms emerge in early spring before the leaves. The blooms appear in clusters along the branches, with each flower measuring about 1 inch across.
- Flower color may be pure white or light pink. Some varieties produce white petals with a pink tinge on the edges.
- The blossoms have a sweet, pleasant fragrance that perfumes the garden.
Fruit Shape
- Plum fruit can be round, oval, heart-shaped or oblong.
- Some varieties are flattened on two sides, giving them a tomato-like silhouette.
- Fruit size ranges from less than an inch to over 2 inches in diameter.
Fruit Color
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Plum skin color provides one of the best ways to identify different varieties. Common hues include:
- Deep purple, burgundy or black
- Bright or dark red
- Yellow, golden or orange
- Green when unripe, turning to red or yellow
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Some plums feature speckles or splotches for a unique appearance.
Leaves
- Plum leaves are oval or oblong with serrated edges. They emerge at the same time as the blossoms.
- Leaf color is green during spring and summer, turning yellow in fall before dropping.
- Leaves grow alternately along the branches in a spiral pattern.
Popular Plum Varieties
Many classic plum varieties are prized for their flavor and culinary uses. Here are some of the most popular types illustrated with photos.
Santa Rosa
- Large, oval shape with reddish-purple skin and amber flesh
- Sweet flavor perfect for fresh eating
- Originated in California in the 1900s
Italian Prune
- Oval shape with deep purple skin and greenish-yellow flesh
- Very sweet with a hint of tartness
- Excellent for drying into prunes
italian prune plums on tree branch
Damson
- Small, oval fruit with dark purple or blue skin
- Pleasantly tart flavor used for jams and jellies
- Dates back to ancient Rome
Greengage
- Round green plums that ripen to golden yellow
- Sweet, rich flavor and tender flesh
- Popular variety since the 18th century
Mirabelle
- Small, spherical yellow plums with red speckles
- Intense sweetness balanced by subtle tartness
- Grown commercially for canning and preserves
mirabelle plums on tree branch
When to Harvest Plums
Timing the plum harvest is an art. Picking fruit too soon means you miss out on optimal ripeness and flavor. But waiting too long risks finding shriveled or rotting plums on the ground.
Follow these tips for harvesting plums at their peak:
- Wait until late summer or early fall when plums fully ripen.
- Gently lift and twist a plum. If it separates easily from the branch, it’s ready to pick.
- Look for plump fruit with deep, vivid coloration. Green plums need more time on the tree.
- Check for a fruity aroma and slightly soft (not mushy) texture when squeezed.
-Aim to harvest just before the plums are fully ripe to allow them to finish ripening off the tree. The fruit should give slightly when pressed but still feel firm. - Pick plums by hand, leaving the stems attached to avoid injury. Use scissors for thicker stems.
- Handle the delicate fruit gently to avoid bruising.
- Enjoy freshly harvested plums right away, store them in the fridge, or preserve them through canning, drying or freezing.
Fun Facts About Plum Trees
Beyond their tasty fruit, plum trees have some fascinating claims to fame:
- There are over 2000 named plum varieties. New cultivars are still being developed today.
- Plum trees belong to the same family as peaches, nectarines, cherries and almonds.
- Plums have been enjoyed since ancient times and were depicted in ancient Roman mosaics.
- Prunes are dried plums. California produces 99% of the prunes grown in the U.S.
- Plum trees need a second variety for cross-pollination and maximum fruit production.
- The buds, leaves and pits of some plum trees have been used medicinally.
- Plum trees can live and remain productive for over 20 years with proper care.
- Plums contain beneficial nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium.
The Delights of Homegrown Plums
European & Asian Plum Trees: prunus domestica
Plums show great diversity of color, form, size, taste and use. European plums are the blue, green and yellow plums, including prunes, with firm flesh, that mature late in the summer. Japanese plums bloom earlier, mature earlier and are juicier in the flesh. . Plums are adaptable to more climates and soils than the other stone fruits.
European Plums:
European plum trees are deciduous fruit trees native to Europe and widely cultivated for their juicy, sweet plums. They typically grow to be around 15 feet tall and have a rounded, spreading canopy of branches. The leaves are oval-shaped and dark green, and the tree produces clusters of white flowers in the spring. The fruit is usually 1-2 inches in diameter, with a smooth skin and a sweet, juicy flesh. European plums are generally self-fertile, but often need another variety of European plum tree nearby to produce more fruit, and are suitable for growing in a range of climates, from temperate to cool.
Asian Plums:
Asian plum trees are deciduous fruit trees that are native to Asia and closely related to European plums. They are typically smaller in size than European plums, growing to be about 10-12 feet tall. They have a compact, rounded shape and oval-shaped leaves that are slightly smaller than those of European plums. The tree produces clusters of white or pink flowers in the spring, which are followed by the production of oval-shaped plums that are usually smaller than European plums. The skin of the fruit can be smooth or slightly rough and the flesh is juicy and sweet, but tart near the pit unlike European plum which is sweet at its core. . Unlike European plums, Asian plums are often not self-fertile, so they may require another variety of plum tree nearby to produce fruit. They are well-suited to growing in warm climates and are often used in commercial fruit production.
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Raintree Nursery’s Plum Growing Guide!
FAQ
How many years does it take for a plum tree to fruit?
Plum trees typically begin to bear fruit when they are three to six years of age. Fruit develops earlier in some varieties and you even see baby plums begin to appear earlier in age.
What does a plum tree look like?
The leaves are oval-shaped and dark green, and the tree produces clusters of white flowers in the spring. The fruit is usually 1-2 inches in diameter, with a smooth skin and a sweet, juicy flesh.