{"id":602,"date":"2026-10-09T15:01:01","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T19:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/?page_id=602"},"modified":"2026-10-09T15:01:01","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T19:01:01","slug":"plum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/trees\/plum\/","title":{"rendered":"Plum"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Prunus<\/span><\/em> spp.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overview<\/span><\/h2>\n

Plums<\/span> are<\/span> a<\/span> diverse<\/span> group<\/span> of<\/span> flowering<\/span> trees<\/span> and<\/span> shrubs<\/span> belonging<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> genus<\/span> Prunus<\/span><\/em>,<\/span> one<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> most<\/span> important<\/span> and<\/span> widely<\/span> cultivated<\/span> genera<\/span> of<\/span> woody<\/span> plants<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> world.<\/span> Members<\/span> of<\/span> Prunus<\/span><\/em> include<\/span> plums,<\/span> cherries,<\/span> peaches,<\/span> apricots,<\/span> and<\/span> several<\/span> ornamental<\/span> species.<\/span> Known<\/span> for<\/span> their<\/span> attractive<\/span> spring<\/span> blossoms,<\/span> colorful<\/span> fruits,<\/span> and<\/span> ecological<\/span> value,<\/span> plum<\/span> trees<\/span> contribute<\/span> both<\/span> beauty<\/span> and<\/span> biodiversity<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum<\/span> includes<\/span> plum<\/span> trees<\/span> that<\/span> have<\/span> been<\/span> identified<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> genus<\/span> level<\/span> as<\/span> Prunus<\/span><\/em>. Because plums readily hybridize and many cultivated varieties<\/span> exist,<\/span> confidently<\/span> assigning<\/span> some<\/span> trees<\/span> to<\/span> a<\/span> particular<\/span> species<\/span> is<\/span> often<\/span> difficult<\/span> without<\/span> detailed<\/span> horticultural<\/span> records,<\/span> fruit<\/span> characteristics,<\/span> or<\/span> genetic<\/span> analysis.<\/span> For<\/span> this<\/span> reason,<\/span> the<\/span> arboretum<\/span> recognizes<\/span> these<\/span> trees<\/span> collectively<\/span> as<\/span> Plum<\/span> (<\/span>Prunus<\/span><\/em> spp.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Identification<\/span><\/h2>\n

Leaves<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Alternate<\/span> leaf<\/span> arrangement<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Simple<\/span> leaves<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Oval<\/span> to<\/span> lance-shaped<\/span> form<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Finely<\/span> toothed<\/span> margins<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Medium<\/span> to<\/span> dark<\/span> green<\/span> during<\/span> the<\/span> growing<\/span> season<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Yellow,<\/span> orange,<\/span> or<\/span> red<\/span> fall<\/span> color<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Bark<\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Gray<\/span> to<\/span> reddish-brown<\/span> bark<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Often<\/span> develops<\/span> horizontal<\/span> lenticels<\/span> typical<\/span> of<\/span> many<\/span> Prunus<\/span><\/em> species<\/span><\/li>\n
    • May<\/span> become<\/span> rough<\/span> or<\/span> scaly<\/span> with<\/span> age<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Flowers<\/span><\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Showy<\/span> white<\/span> or<\/span> pale<\/span> pink<\/span> blossoms<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Usually<\/span> bloom<\/span> in<\/span> early<\/span> spring<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Often<\/span> appear<\/span> before<\/span> or<\/span> as<\/span> leaves<\/span> emerge<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Attractive<\/span> to<\/span> pollinators<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Fruit<\/span><\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Fleshy<\/span> fruits<\/span> known<\/span> as<\/span> drupes<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Typically<\/span> round<\/span> or<\/span> oval<\/span><\/li>\n
        • May<\/span> be<\/span> yellow,<\/span> red,<\/span> purple,<\/span> blue,<\/span> or<\/span> nearly<\/span> black<\/span> when<\/span> ripe<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Mature<\/span> from<\/span> summer<\/span> into<\/span> early<\/span> autumn,<\/span> depending<\/span> on<\/span> species<\/span> and<\/span> variety<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Size<\/span><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Typically<\/span> grows<\/span> 10<\/span> to<\/span> 30<\/span> feet<\/span> tall<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Mature<\/span> spread<\/span> of<\/span> 10<\/span> to<\/span> 25<\/span> feet<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Growth<\/span> form<\/span> varies<\/span> among<\/span> species<\/span> and<\/span> cultivars<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Native<\/span> Range<\/span><\/h2>\n

            The<\/span> genus<\/span> Prunus<\/span><\/em> occurs<\/span> naturally<\/span> throughout<\/span> much<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Northern<\/span> Hemisphere,<\/span> including<\/span> North<\/span> America,<\/span> Europe,<\/span> and<\/span> Asia.<\/span> Numerous<\/span> plum<\/span> species<\/span> have<\/span> been<\/span> cultivated,<\/span> selected,<\/span> and<\/span> hybridized<\/span> for<\/span> centuries.<\/span><\/p>\n

            The<\/span> plum<\/span> trees<\/span> represented<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum<\/span> are<\/span> classified<\/span> collectively<\/span> as<\/span> Non-Native<\/span><\/strong> because<\/span> the<\/span> specific<\/span> trees<\/span> present<\/span> on<\/span> campus<\/span> cannot<\/span> currently<\/span> be<\/span> assigned<\/span> with<\/span> confidence<\/span> to<\/span> a<\/span> particular<\/span> native<\/span> species.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Ecology<\/span> and<\/span> Wildlife<\/span> Value<\/span><\/h2>\n

            Plums<\/span> provide<\/span> important<\/span> resources<\/span> for<\/span> pollinators<\/span> and<\/span> wildlife.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Their<\/span> flowers<\/span> attract:<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            • Native<\/span> bees<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Honeybees<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Butterflies<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Other<\/span> pollinating<\/span> insects<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Their<\/span> fruits<\/span> are<\/span> consumed<\/span> by:<\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              • Songbirds<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Wild<\/span> turkeys<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Foxes<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Raccoons<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Squirrels<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Other<\/span> wildlife<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                The<\/span> trees<\/span> also<\/span> provide<\/span> cover,<\/span> nesting<\/span> habitat,<\/span> and<\/span> seasonal<\/span> food<\/span> resources<\/span> within<\/span> the<\/span> landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Human<\/span> Uses<\/span> and<\/span> Cultural<\/span> Significance<\/span><\/h2>\n

                Plums<\/span> have<\/span> been<\/span> cultivated<\/span> for<\/span> thousands<\/span> of<\/span> years<\/span> and<\/span> remain<\/span> among<\/span> the<\/span> world’s<\/span> most<\/span> important<\/span> fruit<\/span> trees.<\/span><\/p>\n

                They<\/span> are<\/span> grown<\/span> for:<\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Fresh<\/span> fruit<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Preserves<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Jellies<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Baking<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Juice<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Dried<\/span> fruit<\/span> products<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Many<\/span> cultivated<\/span> plum<\/span> varieties<\/span> originated<\/span> through<\/span> hybridization<\/span> among<\/span> different<\/span> species.<\/span> Because<\/span> of<\/span> this<\/span> extensive<\/span> history<\/span> of<\/span> cultivation<\/span> and<\/span> selection,<\/span> identifying<\/span> individual<\/span> trees<\/span> to<\/span> species<\/span> can<\/span> sometimes<\/span> be<\/span> challenging.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  The<\/span> genus<\/span> is<\/span> also<\/span> valued<\/span> for<\/span> ornamental<\/span> landscaping<\/span> because<\/span> of<\/span> its<\/span> attractive<\/span> flowers,<\/span> fruit,<\/span> and<\/span> seasonal<\/span> beauty.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Plum<\/span> Trees<\/span> at<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span><\/h2>\n

                  Plum<\/span> trees<\/span> contribute<\/span> spring<\/span> flowers,<\/span> seasonal<\/span> fruit,<\/span> and<\/span> ornamental<\/span> diversity<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum.<\/span> Their<\/span> blossoms<\/span> support<\/span> pollinators<\/span> while<\/span> their<\/span> fruits<\/span> provide<\/span> resources<\/span> for<\/span> wildlife.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Because<\/span> the<\/span> campus<\/span> collection<\/span> appears<\/span> to<\/span> include<\/span> plum<\/span> trees<\/span> that<\/span> cannot<\/span> be<\/span> confidently<\/span> assigned<\/span> to<\/span> a<\/span> single<\/span> species,<\/span> the<\/span> arboretum<\/span> recognizes<\/span> them<\/span> collectively<\/span> as<\/span> members<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> genus<\/span> Prunus<\/span><\/em>.<\/span> This<\/span> approach<\/span> reflects<\/span> both<\/span> the<\/span> complexity<\/span> of<\/span> plum<\/span> identification<\/span> and<\/span> the<\/span> long<\/span> history<\/span> of<\/span> hybridization<\/span> within<\/span> the<\/span> group.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Quick<\/span> Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n

                  Common<\/span> Name:<\/span><\/strong> Plum<\/span>
                  \nScientific<\/span> Name:<\/span><\/strong> Prunus<\/span><\/em> spp.<\/span>
                  \nFamily:<\/span><\/strong> Rosaceae<\/span>
                  \nNative<\/span> Region:<\/span><\/strong> Non-Native<\/span>
                  \nMature<\/span> Height:<\/span><\/strong> 10\u201330<\/span> feet<\/span>
                  \nMature<\/span> Spread:<\/span><\/strong> 10\u201325<\/span> feet<\/span>
                  \nGrowth<\/span> Rate:<\/span><\/strong> Moderate<\/span>
                  \nSun<\/span> Requirements:<\/span><\/strong> Full<\/span> Sun<\/span>
                  \nSoil<\/span> Preferences:<\/span><\/strong> Moist,<\/span> well-drained<\/span> soils<\/span>
                  \nUSDA<\/span> Hardiness<\/span> Zones:<\/span><\/strong> Varies<\/span> by<\/span> species<\/span> and<\/span> cultivar<\/span>
                  \nBloom<\/span> Period:<\/span><\/strong> March<\/span> to<\/span> April<\/span>
                  \nFruit\/Seed:<\/span><\/strong> Fleshy<\/span> drupes<\/span> that<\/span> mature<\/span> from<\/span> summer<\/span> into<\/span> early<\/span> autumn<\/span>
                  \nWildlife<\/span> Value:<\/span><\/strong> Supports<\/span> pollinators<\/span> and<\/span> provides<\/span> fruit<\/span> for<\/span> birds<\/span> and<\/span> mammals<\/span>
                  \nNotable<\/span> Characteristics:<\/span><\/strong> Showy<\/span> spring<\/span> blossoms,<\/span> edible<\/span> fruits,<\/span> and<\/span> extensive<\/span> hybridization<\/span> among<\/span> cultivated<\/span> varieties<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Prunus spp. Overview Plums are a diverse group of flowering trees and shrubs belonging to the genus Prunus, one of the most important and widely cultivated genera of woody plants in the world. Members of Prunus include plums, cherries, peaches, apricots, and several ornamental species. Known for their attractive spring blossoms, colorful fruits, and ecological<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-narrow.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-602","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/602","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=602"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/602\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":603,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/602\/revisions\/603"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=602"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}