Douglas County Conservation District                                                                         ~Helping People Help the Land~                                                                                                            

by promoting projects through education to further the long- term sustainable   use of natural resources balancing the needs of agriculture and urban growth

                

                                                                            PO Box 688, 7519 E. Hwy 86, Franktown, CO 80116

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Native Plum
Prunus americana                   

Plum Recipes

Wildlife Value

Highly important as wildlife cover and food.  The thorny, suckering growth when protected forms a thicket valuable for bird nesting, loafing, and roosting, and animal loafing and bedding.  Twigs and foliage provide a highly preferred browse for whitetail and mule deer.  Foxes are chief consumers of fruit.  Native over eastern two-thirds of central North America, including eastern Colorado.

Growth form irregular
Crown density open
Size to 8' high
to 8' spread
Drought
resistance		 good
Cold hardiness excellent
Growth rate rapid
Life span moderate
Elevation
range		 to 8,000 feet
Soil
conditions		 good alkaline tolerance; grows well on most soils
Possible insect
problems		 pear slug sawfly
Possible disease 
problems		 fireblight, powdery mildew
Wildlife value excellent:  hoofed browsers; nesting cover and food value
Seasonal color large white flowers in May
Miscellany native; delicious edible fruit for jellies and canning; forms a thicket