Prunus Americana is also known as American plum or Wild plum. Native to eastern North America, New Mexico and Utah. 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 States. This tree grows really fast and thrives with neglect! As a tree, it typically grows to 15-25' tall with a broad, spreading crown and numerous rigid spiny branches. As a shrub, it suckers freely and can form large colonies. Branches and twigs are an attractive dark reddish-brown and sometimes have thorny lateral branchlets. The leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to elliptical, with finely serrated margin and sharply pointed tip, 3 to 4 inches long, green above, and slightly paler beneath. The leaves will turn yellow to red in autumn. Beautiful white fragrant flowers will bloom in early spring. The flowers have 5 petals about 1 inch across, with long filaments and yellow anthers. They appear in small clusters with the leaves. The Prunus Americana fruits are yellow to red, 1 inch in diameter, with yellow flesh, ripening in mid-summer. However, this specie is usually grown for ornamental value and not for fruit production. Although the plums can be eaten raw, the quality is somewhat poor, better used for preserves and jellies. Hardiness zones 5-9, (-26øC/-15øF, -5øC/25øF) in winter. Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Fairly adaptable.