American Plum—Prunus Americana

Small | Deciduous | Height: 10-20 feet | Spread: Spread: 15-25 feet

The American plum is a small, deciduous, single-trunk tree or multi-stemmed shrub which occurs in rocky or sandy soils in woodlands, pastures, abandoned farms, streams and hedgerows throughout the state. As a tree, it typically grows to 10 – 20’ tall with a broad, spreading crown. As a shrub, it suckers freely and can form large colonies. It is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Remove suckers to prevent unwanted spread or to train into a small tree. It can form thickets with its thorn-like side branches so keep it maintained, unless that is the desired result. It is a fairly adaptable and tough plant..

Its thickets provide good cover for songbirds and small mammals year-round. This plant provides nectar for pollinators and is a larval host plant for several species of butterflies. The fruits are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, quail, white-tailed deer, and small mammals. Deer also eat the twigs and leaves.

More information on the characteristics and cultivation of this species can be found at https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-americana/.