Cherry Plum - Prunus cerasifera - €18 per plant

Also known as Myrobalan plum. Our plants are propagated from seed of wild trees hardy to -25C and coping with spring frosts of -4C without damaging blossom. All of the parent trees we harvest seed from have delicious little plums, produced abundantly every year and are rarely troubled by pests and disease. This tough plant is drought tolerant and wind resistant, a useful windbreak/ hedging plant and can tolerate some shade making it great lower canopy option in the forest garden. It is also known to accumulate Calcium and Potassium from the sub soil.  To order this plant please contact us [email protected]. 

Context

  • native region: Europe
  • native habitat: Forest edges and open grasslands
  • family: Rosaceae

Pest and Predators

  • None known

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or no shade
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4b -9b
  • Prefers well drained soil    
  • Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus

Known hazards 

  • Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Overview


  • 2nd yr bare root 
  • Deciduous Tree growing to 9 m  by 9 m  at a medium rate.
  • It is in flower in March, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September.
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
  • It prefers moist soil.
  • The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Characteristics

  • form: medium sized tree
  • layer : Lower Canopy
  • habit: Standard Tree
  • height x width (m): 9m x 9m
  • years to bearing fruit: 3 years  
  • productive life span: 20-30 years 

Products 

  • Fruit: Drupes, tasty and produced in abundance in a continental climate.
  • Flowers in March, a good source of early nectar for honey and bumble bees.
  • Seeds can be used to grow an excellent  root stock for grafting, compatible with all species from the Prunus genus inc. plum, cherry, apricot and almond.
  • Pruned branches are loved by rabbits and goats. Good fodder crop.   

Functions, behaviors

  • The trees themselves can usually tolerate temperatures to around −26 to −30 °C, although the following season's flower buds are usually killed at these temperatures, leading to no crop that summer. Flower bud kill begins to occur between −15 and −25 °C.
  • The trees tend to flower fairly early in spring. The blooms often can be damaged or killed by frosts; typically, if temperatures drop below about −4 °C, most flowers will be killed. However, if the flowers are not fully open, they can tolerate a few degrees colder.
  • A good accumulator of Calcium and Potassium which are raised from the sub soil and accumulated in the topsoil layers
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project