Plum, Wild-Goose

The Wild-goose Plum (Prunus hortulana) is a natural hybrid between the species, Americana and angustifolia. It is supposed to have originated in Kentucky. It grows wild from Maryland to Texas. It’s a tall, straight-limbed, thornless tree, with thin, oblong, flat leaves, and thick-skinned, juicy fruit. The trees reach about 20 feet tall and are loaded with golf ball sized plums. Other species of wild plums have nasty thorns, but these do not. When grown in the open, the common wild plum is a low-branched, rounded tree, but becomes shrubby when grown in thickets or in crowded conditions.

New leaves on the trees are deciduous, purplish red, but will turn green as they get older. They are similar to cherry leaves in shape, but are thinner, less firm, lighter green and less shiny above; light green beneath and with a wrinkled appearance. The leaves are 3 to 4 inches long with long pointed tips.

White to ivory white conspicuous FLOWERS bloom mid-spring. When in bloom, the entire tree and thicket can be filled with masses of pure white, fragrant blooms. Fruit tree blooms are some of the most fragrant types.

The FRUIT are ripe and ready to eat by the fourth of July and have become a classic food at family picnics. The fruit is smaller, rounder than that of the typical cultivated plum and blue to purple to bright red (depending on the variety and location) in color typically 0.75 to 1.25 in diameter.

On young stems the BARK is orange-brown to dark red-brown and is smooth and shiny. On older stems it is darker-colored and breaks into large, thin scales or plates.

Wild plums are a thorny, winter hardy, thicket forming tall shrub with edible fruit. They are important to the WILDLIFE in any area for nesting, loafing, browsing and food. Most any animal would eat this nutritious pome! Geese are particularly fond of the fallen plums hence the name. Those varieties in thickets with thorny stems and trunks provide protection from predators. Don’t forget the plum preserves, pies and cobblers!