Plum Tree For Sale

Fresh, Juicy Plums from Your Own Backyard in Just 3–5 Years Growing your own plum trees means harvesting sweet and juicy fruit that tastes nothing like what you find on grocery store shelves. Plum trees typically bear fruit 3 to 5 years after planting, and once they hit their stride, a single mature tree can deliver up to 2–3 bushels of delicious fruit every season. Whether you're craving reddish purple plums straight off the branch, planning a batch of homemade preserves, or simply want beautiful blossoms lighting up your yard each spring, a well-chosen plum tree is one of the most rewarding fruit trees you can plant. Why You'll Love Our Plum Trees Abundant Harvests – A mature, well-maintained tree produces up to 2 bushels of flavorful fruit per year. With the right care, you'll have more juicy plums than you know what to do with - perfect for fresh eating, drying, baking, and sharing with neighbors. Year-Round Beauty – Plum trees offer stunning white flowers in spring, lush green foliage through summer, and dramatic fruit displays into early fall. They're a true edible landscape centerpiece that rivals any flowering tree for ornamental beauty. Versatile Fruit – From sweet fruit eaten straight off the tree to dried plums, jams, and pies, plums are among the most versatile stone fruits you can grow. European plums are known for their sweet, firm fruit ideal for preserves, while Japanese plums deliver softer, juicier flesh for eating fresh. Cold Hardy Varieties – We carry selections suited to California's diverse climate zones, from low-chill Japanese varieties for Southern California to cold hardy European types that thrive in Northern California's cooler elevations and even cold climates at higher altitudes. Long-Term Investment – With proper care, plum trees remain productive for 15–30 years. That's decades of rich flavor from a single planting. What Makes Our Plum Trees Different Most nurseries stock a handful of generic varieties with little guidance on whether they'll actually produce fruit in your specific location. You pick a tree, take it home, and hope for the best. Our plum trees are selected and sold differently: Climate-Matched Selection – There are over 100 species of plums worldwide, and choosing the wrong one for your zone is the most common reason trees fail to bear fruit. We match every variety to California's specific chill hour requirements and growing conditions so your tree thrives from day one. Expert Pollination Planning – Self-pollination varies among plum varieties; some require a compatible partner. Many European plums are self-pollinating, like Italian Prune, but most Japanese plums require cross-pollination with compatible varieties. We help you select the right pairing - or identify self fertile options if you only have room for one tree. Professional Consultation Available – Our specialists walk you through variety selection, planting placement, soil requirements, and ongoing care. No guesswork, no wasted seasons. Premium Root Systems – We ship healthy, vigorous bare root and container-grown trees with robust root systems that establish quickly. Bare-root plum trees establish better than container-grown trees, and mail order trees are shipped dormant in early spring for optimal transplant success. How To Grow Plum Trees Successfully Year 1: Plant and Establish Plant plum trees in early spring after frost has thawed. Choose a spot with full sun - plum trees require full sun with ideally 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Prepare your site with well draining soil, and position your root ball at the proper depth. Avoid planting plum trees in low-lying areas prone to frost damage. Years 2–3: Growth and Training Annual pruning is necessary for healthy growth and fruit development. Prune plum trees to an open center form for better growth, removing water sprouts and crossing branches to promote airflow and light penetration. Fertilize young plum trees with 10-10-10 in mid-April, and support young trees with consistent deep watering during the growing season. Years 3–5: First Harvest Fruit production begins - small at first, then increasing each year. Thinning young fruit helps increase size and sweetness of remaining plums. You'll start enjoying your first sweet fruit during this phase, especially if you planted dwarf varieties on precocious rootstocks like Krymsk 1. Years 5+: Full Production Mature trees hit their stride, delivering a huge crop annually. With continued pruning, pest management, and proper irrigation, your tree will produce fruit reliably for decades. Plum Tree Varieties and Details Plum trees are broadly categorized into European, Japanese, and American types, and each group brings distinct advantages to your garden. European Plum Trees (Prunus domestica) European plums bloom later than Japanese varieties, offering better frost resistance - a real advantage in Northern California and higher-elevation gardens. Top picks include: Italian Prune – The classic prune plum tree with firm, sweet fruit perfect for drying. Self-pollinating and reliable. Higher chill requirement (700–800 hours). Green Gage – Prized for centuries for its exceptional sweet flavor and greenish yellow flesh. A true heirloom variety. Stanley – Another excellent prune plum, self fertile and productive. Great for preserves and eating fresh. Damson Plum – Smaller, tart fruit traditionally used for jams and liqueurs. Extremely cold hardy. Japanese Plum Trees Japanese plums bloom earlier and are often softer than European plums, with larger, rounder, incredibly juicy fruit. Best plum trees for Southern and Central California include: Santa Rosa Plum Tree – California's signature variety, needing only 300–400 chill hours. Partially self fertile but yields increase significantly with a pollination partner. Large fruit with amber flesh and rich flavor ripens in July. Beauty – A low-chill champion (approximately 200 hours), ideal for warm Southern California zones. Early ripening produces juicy fruit by early summer. Burbank – Burbank plums are known for their juicy, sweet fruit. Burbank and Burgundy plums need cross-pollination for better fruit set. Methley – Partially self-pollinating with sweet, reddish purple plums. A great choice if you want only one tree. Shiro – Beautiful yellow flesh with mild, sweet flavor. American Plum (Prunus americana) and Hybrids Native American plums are smaller and more disease-resistant, making them excellent for hedgerows and wildlife plantings. Many native plum trees are self-pollinating. The american plum and beach plum varieties add diversity - though beach plums require cross-pollination to bear fruit. Hybrid plums combine traits from different plum species, often delivering improved disease resistance with excellent eating quality. Tree Sizes Plum trees are typically sold as standards or semi-dwarfs. Rootstock determines mature size: Standard: 15–25 ft tall, 15–22 ft spacing. Maximum yield potential. Semi-Dwarf: 8–12 ft, moderate spacing. A great balance of fruit production and manageable size. Dwarf (Krymsk 1 rootstock): 6–10 ft. Small trees perfect for a small garden, patios, or containers. May produce fruit as early as year 2–3. Trees should be spaced 12 to 18 feet apart for adequate air circulation. Plant two different Japanese plum varieties within 100 yards for pollination if growing varieties that require cross pollination. Harvest Timing: July through September depending on variety - Japanese plums ripen from July through mid-August; european varieties extend the season into September and early fall. Soil Testing Available: Plum trees thrive in well-draining, loamy soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. We offer professional soil analysis to ensure optimal growing conditions before you plant. Who Our Plum Trees Are Perfect For California Homeowners looking to add productive fruit trees to their landscape alongside other edible favorites like apricot or guava trees. Beginning Fruit Gardeners wanting reliable, forgiving trees - especially self pollinating european varieties that produce fruit without a partner. Cooking Enthusiasts who want fresh ingredients for preserves, baking, and dried plums. Italian plum and damson plum varieties are purpose-built for the kitchen. Landscape Designers seeking dual-purpose trees that deliver both ornamental beauty and edible fruit. Plum trees belong to the rose family within the genus Prunus, and their spring display rivals dedicated ornamentals. Anyone wanting fresh, organic fruit without grocery store dependence - plums grow beautifully under organic management when varieties are properly matched to your conditions. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need more than one plum tree to get fruit? It depends on the variety. Many European plums are self-pollinating - Italian Prune and Stanley can produce fruit with only one tree. Most Japanese plums require cross-pollination with a compatible variety. The Santa Rosa plum tree is partially self fertile but sets a much larger crop with a pollinator nearby. Our consultation service helps you determine whether you need a second tree and which pairing works best. When will my plum tree start producing fruit? Plum trees typically bear fruit 3 to 5 years after planting. Dwarf varieties on precocious rootstocks like Krymsk 1 sometimes fruit as early as year 2–3, though yields increase substantially with maturity. Plum trees benefit from deep watering rather than frequent shallow watering during establishment for fastest results. How much space do I need? Standard trees need 15–20 feet of spacing. Semi dwarf varieties require somewhat less, and dwarf trees can be planted 8–10 feet apart - or even grown in large containers for a small garden or patio. Fertilization with balanced fruit tree fertilizer is recommended in early spring to support healthy growth regardless of size. What if my soil isn't ideal? We offer professional soil testing and amendment recommendations. Plum trees need full sun and well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Most California soils can be improved with proper amendments - and knowing your baseline before planting saves years of frustration. Can you help me choose the right variety? Absolutely. Buy plum trees from a specialist who understands your climate. Our consultation service includes personalized variety recommendations based on your location, available space, chill hours, soil conditions, and whether you want juicy plums for fresh eating, firm fruit for drying, or both. When should I plant? Plant plum trees in early spring after frost. Bare root trees shipped dormant establish most successfully during this window. Buy plum trees at specialist fruit tree nurseries like ours, and purchase seeds for wild plum trees from specialist growers if you're interested in native plums or hedgerow plantings. Ready to Enjoy Home-Grown Plums? Stop buying expensive, flavorless fruit that was picked weeks before it reached your kitchen. California produces over 90% of the nation's fresh plum crop with more than 200 varieties cultivated - and the best plum trees from that incredible diversity can be growing in your yard this season. Choose your Premium Plum Trees and start harvesting sweet, juicy plums within just a few years.