Prunus domestica ssp. domestica

Plum

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.: Depends on rootstocks and variety

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Globular crown 1
Spread depends on rootstocks

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Low (31 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Moderately dense 1

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Moderate 5

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Unknown

Management & Systems

Typical systemsiCommon agroforestry or silvicultural systems where this species is used:
Arable or pasture 1, lowland 12
Arable and pasture systems 5

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Orchard tree 1

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Formative pruning, shelter, irrigation during dry spells 2

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Pruning recommended in spring to mid-summer 1

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Summer 1

Prunus domestica Bemmel Lingewaard, Gelderland)/ Cultureel Gelderland/ https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: Fruits 1 – fresh, dehydrated (prunes), canned, processed for jams and beverages 5

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp: Speciality timber 1

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: Some opportunities for fuelwood from pruning 3

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: –

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: Fruit within 4-5 years 6, full production 7-9 years 2

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: –

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Low – shallow roots and low canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Relatively low
Medium-term (40 years): Very low
Long-term (60 years): Very low

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Long-established introduction (archaeophyte) – denizen or cultivated 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
Moderate 5
Highest value for leaf litter, pollen and nectar, and fruits 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Mar-May 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Moderate to high 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: Risk of toxicity based on other Prunus species

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: Root suckers 2, rootstocks can be used to avoid this 7

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
High
Susceptible to various diseases which affect yield and quality of crop 9
Can suffer from peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus 6
High risk of Xylella fastidiosa 6

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
High
Susceptible to plum-moth caterpillars and brown scale 3
Can suffer from plum aphid, caterpillars, fruit tree red spider mite, brown scale, plum moth 6

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
Low
Low sensitivity to browsing 7
Fruits susceptible to damage from bullfinches 6