American Plum (Prunus americana)
Zones: 3–8 | Height: 8–12 ft | Spread: 6–12 ft | Growth Rate: Fast
Light: Full sun to partial shade | Soil: Adaptable; loamy, sandy, or clay
Fruit Ripening Time: August to September
Pollination: Plant 2+ for strongest fruit production
🏞️ Product Description:
The American Plum is one of the most valuable native shrubs for wildlife habitat, combining dense cover, vigorous growth, and highly attractive soft mast. Found naturally along woodland edges, prairies, and river corridors, this hardy native thrives in a wide range of soils and climates. Its fragrant white blossoms in spring give way to sweet-tart plums in late summer, making it a premier choice for food plots, windbreaks, and upland habitat enhancement.
Known for its suckering habit, American Plum naturally forms thickets ideal for bedding, nesting, and escape cover. Deer, turkeys, small game, and countless songbirds rely on its fruit, browse, and structure throughout the year.
🦌 Perfect for Hunting Properties:
This shrub is a habitat workhorse—providing both high-value food and dense structural cover.
🍽️ Soft Mast from Late Summer:
American Plum ripens from August into September, offering wildlife a rich, energy-packed food source ahead of fall transitions. Its fruit is highly preferred and bridges the gap between mid-summer berries and the start of hard mast season.
🌾 Exceptional Wildlife Cover:
With its fast growth and thicket-forming nature, American Plum creates some of the best natural cover available. Ideal for field edges, transition lines, hedgerows, or creating soft-edge habitat around plots.
🦃 Critical for Upland Birds & Pollinators:
Spring flowers draw in pollinators, while its fruit, buds, and dense structure support quail, turkeys, grouse, and a wide range of songbirds. Few shrubs offer such year-round ecological value.
🌱 Tough, Native & Low Maintenance:
American Plum is extremely adaptable—thriving in poor soils, drought conditions, or disturbed ground. Once established, it requires little care and expands naturally to create dense habitat blocks. Excellent for erosion control and windbreaks.
💡 Pollination Note:
Though partially self-fertile, American Plum produces significantly more fruit when two or more plants are grown together.
🛠️ Planting Tips:
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Space 6–10 ft apart for wildlife thickets or hedgerows
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Use Shrub Survival Kits to protect young plants and improve establishment
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Prune lightly to encourage branching and maintain thicket density
