How to Identify a Red Plum Tree
Red plum trees are popular for their sweet, smooth-skinned fruit and delicate, attractive flowers. The fruit is eaten fresh, made into jams or pies, as well as served pickled or dried. It grows 10 to 20 feet tall in full sun. These trees originated in China thousands of years ago, were exported to Japan several hundred years ago, and have now spread in popularity around the world. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Be aware that red plum trees grow in zones 5 through 9 in the United States. If you are outside these zones, in the southern tip of Florida, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, or northern Maine, your tree is probably not a red plum.
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Look at the leaves. Plum trees are deciduous. This means in the fall, the leaves begin to change color and drop. In the early spring, bright green, almond-shaped leaves grow, along with delicate pinkish white flowers. Leaves are finely toothed towards the tapered tips.
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Look at the fruit. Red plum trees grow medium or large sized fruit with a dark red or purple skin. The flesh is red and juicy with a mild flavor. Fruit begins to form in mid-May and ripens through July.
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Look at the ground around the tree. Plum trees have shallow roots. If your tree has many shoots of the same type of plants growing up to 9 feet away from the main trunk, it could be a plum tree.
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Tips & Warnings
Plum trees often provide cover for butterflies, larva and birds.
