{"title":"Japanese-American Hybrid Plums","description":"\u003cp\u003eHybrid plums are crosses between Japanese plums and our native American plum. You get the big, juicy fruit of a Japanese plum on a tree that handles a northern winter. They're some of the best fruit you can grow in zone 3, and every one needs a second plum to set fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"mft-more\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eMore about hybrid plums\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e is the one we'd plant first. It's rated to zone 2b and scored 10\/10 as a pollenizer for other hybrid plums. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e is the best eater of the bunch, and the two are a classic pair. See \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/toka-vs-superior-plum\"\u003eToka vs Superior\u003c\/a\u003e for why you want both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/brookred-plum\"\u003eBrookred\u003c\/a\u003e is hardy to zone 2. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-ice-plum\"\u003eBlack Ice\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/underwood-plum\"\u003eUnderwood\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/la-crescent-plum\"\u003eLa Crescent\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gracious-plum\"\u003eGracious\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hanska-plum\"\u003eHanska\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta\u003c\/a\u003e are rated through zone 3, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bensons-gem-plum\"\u003eBenson's Gem\u003c\/a\u003e to 3b. La Crescent, Pipestone and Superior bloom late, which helps in frosty spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNone of these are self-fertile, so plant at least two, with Toka or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003enative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e in the mix as a pollenizer. The \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003eplum pollination map\u003c\/a\u003e shows what blooms together, and if you're missing the plums you grew up with, read \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/santa-rosa-plum-alternatives\"\u003eSanta Rosa plum alternatives\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is a hybrid plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cross between a Japanese plum and the native American plum. It has Japanese plum size and flavor with much more cold hardiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat's the best pollenizer for hybrid plums?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToka, which scored 10\/10. Native American plum is a strong pollenizer too. Toka still needs a partner of its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat hybrid plum is hardiest?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrookred is hardy to zone 2, and Toka to zone 2b. Most of the rest take zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bensons-gem-plum","title":"Benson's Gem Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Benson's Gem Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a hybrid or Japanese plum).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (500 to 1,000). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#bensons-gem-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), early spring here. Plant a different hybrid or native plum nearby, such as Toka or a Native American plum. Its plum group has not been confirmed, so noting its bloom date next to Toka and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stanley-plum\"\u003eStanley\u003c\/a\u003e would help. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American Plum (Bundle of 3)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 15 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrairie Red: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Prunus americana: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. American plum, the most dwarfing root in this group; it suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft or 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThis is one of our first selections—an old, rare, and unique plum seedling found on Bruce Benson’s farm. The mother tree was given to Bruce (who is now in his 80s) by a woman in her 80s over 35 years ago. She grew the tree from seed, and when we asked Bruce what the fruit tasted like, he said, “It will burst with juiciness and get all over your shirt. Excellent flavor.” When we tried it, we couldn’t have agreed more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThe plum is indeed very juicy and has a strong berry flavor. It offers a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness—truly a standout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness and Rootstock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese plums are hardy to at least -35°F, if not hardier. They are grafted onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e and Native plum, which are both hardy down to at least -40°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Benson's Gem Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Benson's Gem Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Benson's Gem Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Plant a different hybrid or native plum nearby, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e. Its plum group has not been confirmed, so noting its bloom date next to Toka and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stanley-plum\"\u003eStanley\u003c\/a\u003e would help. Partners we carry include Toka Plum, Native American Plum (Bundle of 3), \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Benson's Gem Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Benson's Gem Plum hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Benson's Gem Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,000. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#bensons-gem-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Benson's Gem Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Benson's Gem Plum onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Prunus americana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Benson's Gem Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Benson's Gem Plum are fresh eating (7\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Benson's Gem Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Benson's Gem Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Benson's Gem Plum ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft or 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Prairie Red Full Size: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45124805525570,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping)","offer_id":45124805558338,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prunus americana Full Size: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45124805591106,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prunus americana Full Size: 4-6 ft.","offer_id":45124805623874,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/bensons-gem-plum-on-tree.webp?v=1789019191"},{"product_id":"pipestone-plum","title":"Pipestone Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pipestone Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a hybrid or Japanese plum), and it ripens about Aug 29 to Sep 10 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Our notes have it taking -38°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (500 to 900). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#pipestone-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), early spring here. Pipestone needs a different hybrid plum nearby. Toka, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e or South Dakota work well. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e nearby covers the Canadian advice that hybrids need wild plum pollen. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 10 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 29 to Sep 10 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrairie Red: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Native Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Suckers, so mow or pull suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 5-7 ft or 4-6 ft or 6-8 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePipestone was selected in 1928 and released in 1942 by the University of Minnesota Fruit Breeding Farm at Excelsior. Its parentage is Burbank, a Japanese plum (Prunus salicina), crossed with Wolf, a hardy \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003enative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e. It belongs to the Japanese by American hybrid line Minnesota started in 1908, and no European plum is involved. Over 80 years later, people are still growing this hardy, tasty, yellow-fleshed plum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor and Fruit Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eWhen we tried Pipestone several years ago, we were taken aback at their size—most coming in slightly under 2\" in diameter. And their flavor was really good: sweet yellow flesh with slightly tart skin. They ripened in early September for us in Missoula.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eEven when some of the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/italian-plum\"\u003eItalian plums\u003c\/a\u003e in town—which are typically fairly hardy—had suffered tip damage, Pipestone didn’t show any signs of damage. We’ve seen Pipestone growing in places that can hit -38°F, like a cold part of Stevensville in the Bitterroot. There wasn’t any noticeable damage on the tree after it saw those temps on 1\/12\/2024.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eIn short, Pipestone is a super-productive, tasty plum that we know has survived down to -38°F. Some even list it as surviving down to -50°F, although we don’t have direct experience with that ourselves—we just haven’t seen any trees planted where it gets that cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSpring 2027 Availability\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese plums come in several different rootstock\/sizes for Spring 2027. They are either on Native plum, which is likely slightly hardier, and tends to produce a semi-dwarf tree in our dry, alkaline soils and harsh climate. However, key word there is 'tends'. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eWe have found that there is some natural variation in the size of Native Plum as a rootstock (and in general as a stand along tree) as these plants are grown from seed. However, the other rootstock we have grafted Pipestone onto is \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e, which is far more uniform according to Dan Sheild, produces a semi-dwarf tree, and is hardy to around -50F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Pipestone Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Pipestone Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Pipestone Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Pipestone needs a different hybrid plum nearby. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota\u003c\/a\u003e work well. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e nearby covers the Canadian advice that hybrids need wild plum pollen. Partners we carry include Toka Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Pipestone Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Pipestone Plum hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our notes have it taking -38°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Pipestone Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 900. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#pipestone-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Pipestone Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 29 to Sep 10 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Pipestone Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Pipestone Plum onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Native Plum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Pipestone Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Pipestone Plum are fresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Pipestone Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Pipestone Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45134355464258,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45134355497026,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45134355529794,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 6-8 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42503442333762,"sku":null,"price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 6-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":45134355562562,"sku":null,"price":94.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/pipestone-plum-on-tree.webp?v=1789020829"},{"product_id":"black-ice-plum","title":"Black Ice Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Ice Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a hybrid or Japanese plum), and it ripens about Aug 18 to Aug 30 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Our notes have it taking -38°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 600 hours (250 to 900). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#black-ice-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), early spring here. Black Ice needs a pollenizer. Plant Toka nearby. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 15 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 18 to Aug 30 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrairie Red: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Prunus americana: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. American plum, the most dwarfing root in this group; it suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"12\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"14\" data-end=\"357\"\u003eBlack Ice is a hybrid plum that has proven itself in some of Montana’s harsher spots, including sites that have dropped to around –40°F. At Rod McIver’s place, which hit –38°F on January 12, 2024, his Black Ice trees came through with only minor tip damage—which is a pretty remarkable performance for a dessert-quality plum in that kind of cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"359\" data-end=\"381\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Breeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"383\" data-end=\"529\"\u003eBlack Ice was developed by Dr. Brian Smith at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls and released in the mid-2000s (around 2005–2006).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"531\" data-end=\"593\"\u003eAccording to info on its release, this complex plum hybrid was built to solve a specific problem:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote data-start=\"594\" data-end=\"718\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"596\" data-end=\"718\"\u003ecreate a “California-type” large, sweet Japanese-style plum that could still handle Upper Midwest \/ Zone 3 winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"720\" data-end=\"921\"\u003eGenetically, it combines Japanese plum (Prunus salicina) with hardy native Prunus (variously described as cherry plum or Western sandcherry), which is where it gets its excellent cold tolerance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1196\" data-end=\"1220\"\u003eTree Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1224\" data-end=\"1306\"\u003eGrowth habit: Spreading, somewhat low and wide rather than tall and upright.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1309\" data-end=\"1410\"\u003eBearing: Precocious—comes into bearing early, often much sooner than older plum standards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1413\" data-end=\"1498\"\u003eProductivity: Very productive when properly thinned; tends to set heavy crops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1501\" data-end=\"1613\"\u003eFrost tolerance: Above-average bud and wood hardiness for a dessert plum, designed for cold-winter climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1615\" data-end=\"1647\"\u003eFruit Description \u0026amp; Ripening\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1651\" data-end=\"1798\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruit: \u003c\/strong\u003eLarge, round to slightly oval, with dark purple-black skin and firm, sweet flesh—often described as “California-type” in quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1801\" data-end=\"1950\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTexture \u0026amp; flavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Firm but juicy, with rich, sweet dessert flavor. Often used primarily for fresh eating, but also suitable for preserves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1953\" data-end=\"2103\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRipening:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early for a plum of this quality—around early August in many cold-climate locations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2105\" data-end=\"2148\"\u003eCold Hardiness \u0026amp; Performance in Montana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2150\" data-end=\"2316\"\u003eOn paper, Black Ice is marketed as hardy to about USDA Zone 3, which means survival in an area that sees -35°F on average across a 30 year spread. So the minimum extreme winter low that the tree can see is theoretically lower. Herein lies the issues, though with going off of the USDA hardiness map, which is that what the absolute extreme is that the tree can observe based on this 30 year average extreme is anyone's guess. So to be conservative, we are listing this at simply being able to withstand -38F with minor winter injury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2318\" data-end=\"2331\"\u003eIn the field:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2333\" data-end=\"2704\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2333\" data-end=\"2472\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2335\" data-end=\"2472\"\u003eIt has been grown reliably in parts of Montana that see –35°F to –38°F as their extreme mid-winter cold, especially in favored microclimates with good air drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2473\" data-end=\"2704\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2475\" data-end=\"2704\"\u003eAt Rod McIver’s site, where the temperature dropped to –38°F on January 12, 2024, his Black Ice trees came through with only minor tip damage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2473\" data-end=\"2704\"\u003eMontana Growers east of the divide who see temps sub –38°F should be cautious when growing Black Ice. This would likely only be areas in near Billings (Joliet, Bridger, Belfry, Red Lodge, Park City) and even the \u003cem\u003ewarmer microclimates\u003c\/em\u003e in those areas at that.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2706\" data-end=\"2786\"\u003eFor most growers in Western Montana, Black Ice is one of the better candidates if you want a true dessert-type plum (not just a wild \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eAmerican plum\u003c\/a\u003e) and you still regularly see –30°F or colder in a bad winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2920\" data-end=\"2935\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2937\" data-end=\"3006\"\u003eBlack Ice is not self-fruitful. It needs a compatible pollenizer:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"3008\" data-end=\"3146\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3008\" data-end=\"3052\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3010\" data-end=\"3052\"\u003eRecommended pollenizers we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/underwood-plum\"\u003eUnderwood\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alderman-plum\"\u003eAlderman\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hanska-plum\"\u003eHanska\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e, and others\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3053\" data-end=\"3146\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3055\" data-end=\"3146\"\u003eOther compatible hybrid or American plums can also work, as long as bloom times overlap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3053\" data-end=\"3146\"\u003ePollination chart coming soon if it isn't already on the site\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Black Ice itself. Photos of Black Ice are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Plums hanging from a tree with green leaves” by JOGphotos, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/plums-hanging-from-a-tree-with-green-leaves-ns68ls3Jb4k\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUnsplash\u003c\/a\u003e, under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUnsplash License\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Black Ice Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Black Ice Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Black Ice Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Black Ice needs a pollenizer. Plant \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e nearby. Partners we carry include Toka Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Black Ice Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Black Ice Plum hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our notes have it taking -38°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Black Ice Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 600 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 250 and 900. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. One nursery lists 250 hours, but its Japanese plum and sand cherry ancestry point higher. We estimate about 600. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#black-ice-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Black Ice Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 18 to Aug 30 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Black Ice Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Black Ice Plum onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrunus americana\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Black Ice Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Black Ice Plum are fresh eating (7\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Black Ice Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Black Ice Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45124836130882,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Prunus americana Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45124836163650,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45124836196418,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/dark-purple-plums-on-tree.jpg?v=1791615081"},{"product_id":"gracious-plum","title":"Gracious Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gracious Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a hybrid or Japanese plum), and it ripens about Aug 29 to Sep 10 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Our notes have it taking -38°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (500 to 900). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#gracious-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), early spring here. Gracious needs a different hybrid plum close by. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e or Toka are good partners. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e nearby covers the Canadian advice that hybrids need wild plum pollen. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 15 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 29 to Sep 10 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Suckers, so mow or pull suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 6-8 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"513\" data-end=\"810\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"513\" data-end=\"810\"\u003eGracious Plum is a hardy Asian–American hybrid plum. It belongs in the category of hybrid plums bred and selected to combine improved fruit quality with reliable survival in very cold, continental climates where many standard plums struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"513\" data-end=\"810\"\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"513\" data-end=\"810\"\u003eGracious Plum (originally labeled Mandan 41-15) was selected in 1957 at the Northern Great Plains Field Station in Mandan, North Dakota as part of cold-climate plum breeding work. It is an open-pollinated seedling of ‘Emerald’, making Emerald the confirmed seed parent; based on surrounding plantings and fruit characteristics, the pollen parent is believed to be ‘Red Wing’, though this was never formally controlled. Emerald itself comes from a cross of ‘Burbank’ (Japanese plum) × ‘Brittlewood’ (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eAmerican plum\u003c\/a\u003e), while Red Wing traces back to ‘Burbank’ × American plum ‘Wolf’, giving Gracious a deep blend of Japanese plum fruit quality layered over multiple generations of American plum hardiness. This complex lineage reflects the breeding goal behind Gracious: combining dessert-quality fruit with the resilience needed for northern Great Plains and similar cold continental climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"812\" data-end=\"838\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"839\" data-end=\"1192\"\u003eBased on how these hardy Asian–American hybrid plums are typically used in cold regions, Gracious is well suited for fresh eating when fully ripe and is also a strong choice for preserves, sauces, and other processing. As we get more direct fruit evaluations and ripening observations in Montana, we can refine flavor notes and best-use recommendations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1194\" data-end=\"1222\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1515\"\u003eAs a hardy Asian–American hybrid plum, Gracious is expected to grow as a medium-sized tree with a manageable canopy when pruned annually, especially when grafted onto native american plum rootstock, which is what we are offering for Spring 2027. A practical orchard spacing is typically in the 12–15 ft range, with wider spacing where airflow is a priority or where trees are expected to be vigorous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1517\" data-end=\"1537\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1538\" data-end=\"1836\"\u003eGracious is regarded as a cold-hardy selection appropriate for northern climates. Exact minimum survival temperatures and the most accurate zone ratings are not known yet in Montana, but given that \u003ca href=\"\/products\/underwood-plum\"\u003eUnderwood\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alderman-plum\"\u003eAlderman\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e have all survived -38F in Stevensville, MT, Gracious would likely be part of this ilk. Likely a solid zone 3b plum at the minimum, and even possibily 3a with protection\/in a good location (out of frost pooling\/depression, up on a bunch, good airflow, etc.).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1838\" data-end=\"1855\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1856\" data-end=\"2104\"\u003eMost Asian–American hybrid plums benefit from cross-pollination with another compatible hybrid plum blooming at the same time. For best fruit set, plan on a second plum cultivar nearby unless you have confirmed self-fertility from a trusted source. Pollenizers for Gracious include Alderman, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-ice-plum\"\u003eBlack Ice\u003c\/a\u003e, Pipestone, Underwood, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e, (and others) as well \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e (often referred to as a universal pollenizer for the hybrid plums). Native and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red plums\u003c\/a\u003e can also work as a pollenizer for Superior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Gracious Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Gracious Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Gracious Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Gracious needs a different hybrid plum close by. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e are good partners. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e nearby covers the Canadian advice that hybrids need wild plum pollen. Partners we carry include Toka Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Gracious Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Gracious Plum hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our notes have it taking -38°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Gracious Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 900. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#gracious-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Gracious Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 29 to Sep 10 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Gracious Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Gracious Plum onto Native Plum (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Gracious Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Gracious Plum are fresh eating (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Gracious Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Gracious Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42499184066626,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 6-8 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft for Shipping","offer_id":45131976245314,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/gracious-plum-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020103"},{"product_id":"hanska-plum","title":"Hanska Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hanska Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a hybrid or Japanese plum).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 600 hours (500 to 800). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#hanska-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), early spring here. Hanska needs a different hybrid plum nearby, such as Toka or South Dakota. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga\u003c\/a\u003e has the same parentage, so do not rely on it as the only partner. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e nearby covers the Canadian advice that hybrids need wild plum pollen. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 15 more. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Suckers, so mow or pull suckers. Plant 12 to 16 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCooking and roasting (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHanska is one of the classic Hansen hybrid plums developed specifically for the northern Great Plains. Released in 1908 by Dr. N.E. Hansen with South Dakota State, it belongs to the group of hardy Asian–American hybrid plums bred to combine improved fruit quality with the durability of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003enative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e genetics. Hansen's own account gives the parentage as a seedling of the wild Northwestern plum (Prunus americana) as the seed parent, pollenized by the apricot plum of China (Prunus simonii), so it is an americana by simonii hybrid rather than a Japanese plum cross. Hanska is commonly discussed alongside related Hansen hybrids such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga\u003c\/a\u003e and is part of the same broader breeding effort that eventually produced well-known plums like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e. Its purpose from the outset was reliable performance in cold, continental climates. Here's a cool \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sdpb.org\/rural-life-and-history\/niels-ebbeson-hansen-exploration-for-cultivation\"\u003earticle\u003c\/a\u003e on Hansen and his life's work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the research literature and long-standing variety descriptions, Hanska produces medium-sized fruit with red skin and yellow flesh. The fruit is aromatic and firm, with flavor that improves as it fully ripens. It is considered an all-purpose plum, usable for fresh eating when ripe and especially well suited to cooking, preserves, sauces, and other processing where its flavor holds up well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHanska is hardy to -40F, which is cited by Bob Purvis, and this matches our field observations in Western Montana, in which Hanska withstood -38F in Stevenville, on Jan. 12th 2024. Hanska will therefore do well  in the vast majority of Western Montana, apart from the coldest valleys, such as Potomac, which can get down to -50F. Hanska well  not do as well east of the divide where temps can drop below -40F in the winter, but should do survive in Billings and the surrounding warmer valleys, as well as areas that are up on a bench in eastern MT and out of frost pooling. In well-sited plantings with good cold-air drainage and proper fall hardening, it may even perform into colder microclimates than -40F, but there is no published evidence to support assigning a specific lower extreme temperature beyond a Zone 3 placement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHanska grows as a vigorous hybrid plum tree rather than a dwarf. Trees develop a strong framework and should be given adequate room to mature. A practical spacing is about 12–16 feet between trees, with wider spacing (15–18 feet) improving airflow, access, and long-term ease of management. Regular pruning helps maintain structure and productivity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHanska benefits from cross-pollination and should be planted with at least one other compatible hybrid plum that blooms at a similar time. As with most Asian–American hybrid plums, pollination improves fruit set and consistency compared to planting a single tree in isolation. Plant with Toka, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alderman-plum\"\u003eAlderman\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/underwood-plum\"\u003eUnderwood\u003c\/a\u003e, or other asian-american hybrids. Native American plum and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red Plum\u003c\/a\u003e can also work. Will not cross with European plums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Hanska Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Hanska Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Hanska Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Hanska needs a different hybrid plum nearby, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga\u003c\/a\u003e has the same parentage, so do not rely on it as the only partner. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e nearby covers the Canadian advice that hybrids need wild plum pollen. Partners we carry include Toka Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, South Dakota Plum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Hanska Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Hanska Plum hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Hanska Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 600 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 800. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Not measured. Toka, Hansen's plum from the same species cross, is listed at 500 to 600 hours, so we estimate about 600. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#hanska-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Hanska Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Hanska Plum onto Native Plum (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant 12 to 16 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Hanska Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Hanska Plum are cooking and roasting (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Hanska Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Hanska Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Hanska Plum ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 5-7 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42499185344578,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/hanska-plum-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020103"},{"product_id":"la-crescent-plum","title":"La Crescent Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e La Crescent Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 6 of 7, late for a hybrid or Japanese plum), and it ripens about Aug 10 to Aug 22 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (500 to 900). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#la-crescent-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 6 of 7 (late), early spring here. La Crescent blooms late, so pick a later-blooming hybrid such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alderman-plum\"\u003eAlderman\u003c\/a\u003e as its partner. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e will not pollenize it, and it cannot pollenize European plums like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stanley-plum\"\u003eStanley\u003c\/a\u003e. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 3 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 10 to Aug 22 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrairie Red: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Native Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Suckers, so mow or pull suckers. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 6-8 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"19\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"36\" data-end=\"268\"\u003eLa Crescent is a Japanese × American hybrid plum released by the University of Minnesota in the early 1920s. Its reported parentage is Prunus salicina ‘\u003ca href=\"\/products\/shiro-plum\"\u003eShiro\u003c\/a\u003e’ × \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrunus americana\u003c\/a\u003e ‘Howard Yellow’.  We have grown Shiro, which is one of the hardier Asian plums (although likely only to about -30F), but since Howard Yellow is a seedling of native american plum, this is where La Crescent gets its hardiness.\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"270\" data-end=\"295\"\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Parentage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"296\" data-end=\"529\"\u003eLa Crescent was introduced by the University of Minnesota (commonly dated to 1923) and is also sometimes sold under names like Golden La Crescent \/ Golden Minnesota. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"531\" data-end=\"557\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"558\" data-end=\"859\"\u003eLa Crescent is a thin-skinned yellow plum that can develop a pink blush, with tender, juicy yellow flesh and a sweet, aromatic flavor that is often compared to apricot-like notes. Bob Purvis pointed this out to Luke the first time he visited Bob's orchard in Homedale, ID back in 2022. It’s primarily used for fresh eating and preserving\/canning. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"889\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"890\" data-end=\"1106\"\u003eIt’s growth habit is upright to spreading and vigorous. As a practical backyard spacing range, plan about 15 ft apart for trees on Native American rootstock (12 ft for tighter spacing\/more pruning), and 18 ft. for trees on Krymsk 86 (15 ft. for tighter spacing).\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1108\" data-end=\"1125\"\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1126\" data-end=\"1377\"\u003eLa Crescent needs a pollenizer. You can use Native American plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, or another Japanese x American hybrid that overlaps bloom (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/underwood-plum\"\u003eUnderwood\u003c\/a\u003e, or others).\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1379\" data-end=\"1399\"\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1400\" data-end=\"1791\"\u003eWe do not have a whole lot of first hand data on La Crescent because this is one of the newer plums we have grown, although knowing that when Bob Purvis lists the hardiness of plums he grows, which is from whom we got cuttings of La Crescent, he goes off of the same USDA zone scale of temperatures, but if he lists something as Zone 3a, which is the case for La Crescent, then he implies here that the plum is hardy to -40F. And given we have grown plenty of other Asian x American hybrids that do well down to these temps, i.e. Pipestone and Underwood surviving -38F in Stevensville, MT without any winter injury, I think \"hardy down to -40F\" for La Crescent tracks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about La Crescent Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes La Crescent Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. La Crescent Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. La Crescent blooms late, so pick a later-blooming hybrid such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alderman-plum\"\u003eAlderman\u003c\/a\u003e as its partner. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e will not pollenize it, and it cannot pollenize European plums like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/stanley-plum\"\u003eStanley\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is La Crescent Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate La Crescent Plum hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does La Crescent Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 900. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. A late bloomer for a hybrid plum, which helps dodge spring frost. Chill is estimated around 700 hours from its parents. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#la-crescent-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does La Crescent Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 10 to Aug 22 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does La Crescent Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft La Crescent Plum onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Native Plum. Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is La Crescent Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for La Crescent Plum are fresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat La Crescent Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect La Crescent Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 6-8 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":43865971261506,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 6-8 ft. (One Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42500337500226,"sku":null,"price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/la-crescent-plum-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020421"},{"product_id":"toka-plum","title":"Toka Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Toka Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 2b in our ratings (winters to -45°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a hybrid or Japanese plum), and it ripens about Aug 31 to Sep 12 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 2 only (winters to -45°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 550 hours (400 to 750). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#toka-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), early spring here. Toka is the best all-round pollenizer for hybrid plums, but it still needs a different hybrid such as Superior or South Dakota to fruit well itself. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e nearby covers the Canadian advice that hybrids need wild plum pollen. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 15 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 31 to Sep 12 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrairie Red Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Native Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Suckers, so mow or pull suckers. Plant 12 to 16 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePollenizing other trees (10\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 4-5 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToka is the classic “bubblegum plum,” a cold-climate hybrid plum known for its unusually aromatic, candy-sweet flavor and its value as a strong pollenizer in hardy plum plantings. It’s one of the most talked-about dessert-quality plums for colder regions because it brings standout flavor while still fitting into northern orchard systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToka was released in 1911 through the cold-climate breeding work associated with N.E. Hansen and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota\u003c\/a\u003e program. It is a hybrid between the rugged \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003enative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e and the highly aromatic Chinese “apricot plum” species Prunus simonii, bred specifically to combine hardiness with distinctive flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToka fruits are typically small to medium and ripen in late summer, with a reputation for an intensely sweet, perfumed flavor that many growers describe as bubblegum-like. At peak ripeness it’s excellent for fresh eating, and it also performs well in jam, sauce, and preserves where that concentrated aroma carries through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToka is described as forming a vase-shaped tree with a medium growth rate. Like many hardy hybrid plums, it can be quite productive when well pollinated, and good structure and occasional thinning help keep crops consistent and limbs healthy over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe currently offer Toka on Native Plum and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red Plum\u003c\/a\u003e Semi-Dwarf rootstock. On both of these semi-dwarf plum-type root system, a practical spacing is generally about 12–16 ft between trees depending on soil vigor, irrigation, and how much you plan to manage canopy size through pruning. The overall size of the trees will be less uniform for the native plum rootstocks, which is why we are also offering Prairie Red, which tend to be more uniform and max out closer to 15 ft. at maturity. Use wider spacing when you want simpler long-term maintenance and better airflow, and tighter spacing only when you are committed to regular size control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToka is widely used as a pollenizer in hardy plum plantings and is commonly recommended as a partner that improves fruit set in other plums. Toka is effectively a universal pollenizer for all of the Asian x american hardy hybrid plums that we offer including \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-ice-plum\"\u003eBlack Ice\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/underwood-plum\"\u003eUnderwood\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e, and others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToka is a solid Zone 3 plum. It has survived and done well with minimal winter injury at Montana State's Lodgepole location, which has seen -40F temps. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA key reason Toka has stayed famous for more than a century is that it combines real dessert appeal with utility: it’s repeatedly highlighted as a standout-flavor plum and also as a pollenizer workhorse in hardy plum orchards. On disease, Cummins Nursery reports strong resistance to black knot for Toka.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Toka Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Toka Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Toka Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Toka is the best all-round pollenizer for hybrid plums, but it still needs a different hybrid such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota\u003c\/a\u003e to fruit well itself. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e nearby covers the Canadian advice that hybrids need wild plum pollen. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, South Dakota Plum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Toka Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Toka Plum hardy to zone 2b, which means winters down to about -45°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Toka Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 550 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 400 and 750. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Nurseries mostly list 500 to 600 hours (Stark sells it as Bubblegum). It's a strong pollenizer for other hybrid plums. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#toka-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Toka Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 31 to Sep 12 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Toka Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Toka Plum onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red Plum\u003c\/a\u003e (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Native Plum. Plant 12 to 16 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Toka Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Toka Plum are pollenizing other trees (10\/10), fresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Toka Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Toka Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Prairie Red Plum Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45140619067458,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 4-5 ft.","offer_id":45140619100226,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft.","offer_id":45140619132994,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft.","offer_id":45140619165762,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42505253978178,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/toka-plum-on-tree.png?v=1789021268"},{"product_id":"underwood-plum","title":"Underwood Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Underwood Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 3 in our ratings (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for a hybrid or Japanese plum), and it ripens about Aug 8 to Aug 20 in Missoula (picked and dated at our place in Missoula).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Our notes have it taking -50°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (500 to 900). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#underwood-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), early spring here. Underwood blooms early and needs a different hybrid plum nearby. Toka, South Dakota or a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e are good choices. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 13 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 8 to Aug 20 in Missoula (picked and dated off our own trees). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Suckers, so mow or pull suckers. Prairie Red Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-6 ft or 5-7 ft or 4-6 ft or 6-8 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderwood is a classic cold-climate hybrid plum known for dependable survival in relatively harsh winters and for producing attractive, flavorful fruit that works well for both fresh eating and processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderwood is a University of Minnesota introduction from the early 1920s. According to the bilingual plum reference hosted at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cyberfruit.info\/flipbook\/flipplum\/files\/basic-html\/page86.html\"\u003eCyberfruit\u003c\/a\u003e, it was introduced in 1921 by the University of Minnesota Fruit Breeding Farm (Excelsior, Minnesota) and is described as a hybrid-type plum derived from \u003ca href=\"\/products\/shiro-plum\"\u003eShiro\u003c\/a\u003e × Wyant. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cyberfruit.info\/flipbook\/flipplum\/files\/basic-html\/page86.html\" title=\"Page 86 - Our Plums - Les Pruniers de chez nous.pdf\"\u003ecyberfruit.info\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderwood sits in the “Japanese–American hybrid” category that many northern-region plum programs leaned on to combine improved fruit quality with the ruggedness of native North American plum species. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/yardandgarden\/research\/plums-in-the-home-garden\" title=\"How to Grow Plums in Your Home Garden | USU\"\u003eUtah State University Extension\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderwood fruit is large for a hardy hybrid plum, with dark red skin and yellow flesh. The fruit is juicy, melting, and tender, ripening around mid-August in Missoula, and it also holds well in cold storage.\u003cbr\u003eIn practice, Underwood can be enjoyed fresh when fully ripe, but it also (apparently) works well in sauce, jam, fruit leather, baking, and fermentation, although we have only ever eaten it fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderwood grows as a medium-sized plum tree rather than a true dwarf. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese Underwood plum trees come in several different rootstock\/sizes for Spring 2027. They are either on Native plum, which is likely slightly hardier, and tends to produce a semi-dwarf tree in our dry, alkaline soils and harsh climate. However, key word there is 'tends'. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe have found that there is some natural variation in the size of Native Plum as a rootstock (and in general as a stand along tree) as these plants are grown from seed. However, the other rootstock we have grafted Underwood onto is \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e, which is far more uniform according to Dan Sheild, produces a semi-dwarf tree (roughly 15 ft. at maturity or slightly larger in deeper soils), and is hardy to around -50F.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with many hardy hybrid plums, good air drainage matters because hybrid plums bloom early (right after peaches) and can be more “spring-frost limited” than “midwinter-cold limited” on marginal sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderwood is not a “plant-one-tree-and-forget-it” plum in most climates. It needs a compatible hybrid plum nearby for consistent fruit set. Pollenizers for Underwood include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alderman-plum\"\u003eAlderman\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hanska-plum\"\u003eHanska\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gracious-plum\"\u003eGracious\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kuban-delight-plum\"\u003eKuban Delight\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ptitsin-5-plum\"\u003ePtitsin #5\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/la-crescent-plum\"\u003eLa Crescent\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e, and other Asian–American hybrids. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e and Prairie Red can work as pollenizers for these hybrid types as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have observed Underwood surviving -38F in Stevensville, MT from a 1\/13\/24 polar front without showing any signs of winter injury. St. Lawrence lists Underwood as hardy to -50F with occasional winter injury. Because we cannot verify this claim in our experience, we are conservatively saying Underwood is hardy to -40F. Hardy to zone 3a. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Underwood Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Underwood Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Underwood Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Underwood blooms early and needs a different hybrid plum nearby. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota\u003c\/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e are good choices. Partners we carry include Toka Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Underwood Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Underwood Plum hardy to zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. Our notes have it taking -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Underwood Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 900. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#underwood-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Underwood Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 8 to Aug 20 in Missoula, Montana (picked and dated off our own trees). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Underwood Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Underwood Plum onto Native Plum (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Underwood Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Underwood Plum are fresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Underwood Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Underwood Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42508244353090,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":42508244320322,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (1 Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45143186440258,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 6-8 ft. (1 Year Older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45143186473026,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/underwood-plum-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021308"},{"product_id":"superior-plum","title":"Superior Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Superior Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 3b in our ratings (winters to -35°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 5 of 7, mid-late for a hybrid or Japanese plum), and it ripens about Sep 7 to Sep 19 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 3 only (winters to -35°F). Our notes have it taking -38°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 600 hours (500 to 800). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#superior-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 5 of 7 (mid-late), early spring here. Superior pollenizes most hybrid plums but not \u003ca href=\"\/products\/la-crescent-plum\"\u003eLa Crescent\u003c\/a\u003e, and it needs a partner itself such as Toka or a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 9 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 7 to Sep 19 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Suckers, so mow or pull suckers. Prairie Red: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Plant 12 to 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (9\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft or 5-6 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperior Plum is a cold-hardy hybrid plum developed specifically to bring improved fruit quality into colder regions where pure Japanese plums often struggle. Remains one of the better-known Japanese–American hybrids for northern plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperior Plum was bred by University of Minnesota in 1933 from a cross of ‘Burbank’ × ‘\u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga\u003c\/a\u003e’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Burbank’ is a Japanese plum (Prunus salicina), while Kaga’ is itself an interspecific hybrid derived from \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrunus americana\u003c\/a\u003e × Prunus simonii.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes Superior a complex hybrid combining Japanese plum genetics with American plum and Simon plum ancestry. The breeding goal was to capture the fruit quality of Japanese plums while incorporating the cold tolerance and resilience of American plum material. Because of this background, Superior is often broadly described as a Japanese × American hybrid, but its exact pedigree is more accurately represented as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBurbank × (americana × simonii).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperior has been planted in colder regions for decades as part of early efforts to expand reliable plum production beyond traditional Japanese plum climates. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperior produces red-skinned plums with yellow flesh. The fruit is sweet and suitable for fresh eating, while also working well for preserves, baking, jams, and other kitchen uses. It is generally grown as a dual-purpose plum: enjoyable fresh when fully ripe and practical for processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer Superior on Native Plum and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red Plum\u003c\/a\u003e semi-dwarf rootstock. Although these are both seedling rootstocks, Superior should be expected to mature as a moderately sized tree rather than a full standard tree. Native plum can be more dwarfing at times (given their seedling nature), but from our initial test results, Prairie Red seems to be a more consistently sized semi-dwarf, reaching about 15 ft tall at maturity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA planting spacing range is about 12–15 feet between trees, depending on pruning intensity and desired canopy size. Wider spacing supports airflow and light penetration; tighter spacing requires more active canopy management.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperior Plum is not self-fertile and requires another plum nearby to act as a pollenizer for reliable fruit set. Plant with other hybrid plums that we offer, including \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alderman-plum\"\u003eAlderman\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-ice-plum\"\u003eBlack Ice\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/underwood-plum\"\u003eUnderwood\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gracious-plum\"\u003eGracious\u003c\/a\u003e, as well \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e (often referred to as a universal pollenizer for the hybrid plums). Native and Prairie Red plums can also work as a pollenizer for Superior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOften listed as a hardy plum, exact minimum survival temperatures and the most accurate zone ratings are not known yet in Montana, but given that Underwood, Alderman, and Pipestone have all survived -38F in Stevensville, MT, Superior would likely be part of this ilk. Likely a solid zone 3b plum at the minimum, and even possibly 3a with protection\/in a good location (out of frost pooling\/depression, up on a bunch, good airflow, etc.).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperior’s value lies in its breeding: it represents an early and successful attempt to merge Japanese plum fruit quality with American plum toughness. This mixed ancestry is what allows it to function in colder regions where many Japanese plums fail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are unsure of Superior's disease resistance in Montana, given we have only been growing it for a few years. As with most plums, long-term success depends primarily on site selection, spacing, pruning for airflow, and orchard sanitation to manage common stone-fruit diseases such as bacterial canker and brown rot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Superior Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Superior Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Superior Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Superior pollenizes most hybrid plums but not \u003ca href=\"\/products\/la-crescent-plum\"\u003eLa Crescent\u003c\/a\u003e, and it needs a partner itself such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include Toka Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Superior Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Superior Plum hardy to zone 3b, which means winters down to about -35°F. Our notes have it taking -38°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Superior Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 600 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 800. That comes from published figures for this variety. Nursery figures run 500 to 800 hours, so it fits most cold-winter areas. Toka is a good pollenizer for it. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#superior-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Superior Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 7 to Sep 19 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Superior Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Superior Plum onto Native Plum (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e. Plant 12 to 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Superior Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Superior Plum are fresh eating (9\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Superior Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Superior Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft. (1 yr. older)","offer_id":45135359148098,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-6 ft. (1 yr. older) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":42505024176194,"sku":null,"price":84.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45135359180866,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45135359213634,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/superior-plum-harvest-in-hand.jpg?v=1789021268"},{"product_id":"brookred-plum","title":"Brookred Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brookred Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a hybrid or Japanese plum).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (500 to 900). From published figures. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#brookred-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), early spring here. Brookred needs another Japanese plum such as Ptitsin #5, or a Native American plum, nearby. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brookgold-plum\"\u003eBrookgold\u003c\/a\u003e will not pollenize it. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ptitsin-5-plum\"\u003ePtitsin #5 Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American Plum (Bundle of 3)\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 14 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrairie Red Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 4-6 ft or 6-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne of the hardiest plums known.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBred on the Alberta Prairie\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrookred came out of the same program as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brookgold-plum\"\u003eBrookgold\u003c\/a\u003e, the Crop Diversification Centre South in Brooks, Alberta. It's a hybrid of Japanese and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eAmerican plum\u003c\/a\u003e, and that American plum in its background is a big part of why it handles prairie winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: medium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSkin: dusky pinkish red\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlesh: golden, firm but still juicy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePit: freestone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe firmer flesh makes Brookred the more versatile of the two Brooks plums. It holds up for cooking and baking, it's good fresh, and it really shines in jam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrookred is new for us, so we'll add our own notes once our trees are fruiting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Brookred itself. Photos of Brookred are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Three ripe plums hanging on a tree branch” by Zulfugar Karimov, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/three-ripe-plums-hanging-on-a-tree-branch-vKJS93Y6zbI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUnsplash\u003c\/a\u003e, under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUnsplash License\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Brookred Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Brookred Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Brookred Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Brookred needs another Japanese plum such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ptitsin-5-plum\"\u003ePtitsin #5\u003c\/a\u003e, or a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e, nearby. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/brookgold-plum\"\u003eBrookgold\u003c\/a\u003e will not pollenize it. Partners we carry include Ptitsin #5 Plum, Native American Plum (Bundle of 3), \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Brookred Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Brookred Plum hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Brookred Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 900. That comes from published figures for this variety. Listed at 700 chill hours, in line with other Japanese-American hybrid plums, so any cold-winter site covers it easily. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#brookred-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Brookred Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Brookred Plum onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red Plum\u003c\/a\u003e (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Brookred Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Brookred Plum are jams and jellies (8\/10), fresh eating (7\/10), canning and freezing (7\/10), pies and baking (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Brookred Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Brookred Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Brookred Plum ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 4-6 ft or 6-7 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Prairie Red Plum Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45177627344962,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Prairie Red Plum Semi-Dwarf: 6-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45177627377730,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/photo-1762328868487-3054874f5361.jpg?v=1791617882"},{"product_id":"kaga-plum","title":"Kaga Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kaga Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 3 from other growers' reports (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a hybrid or Japanese plum), and it ripens about Sep 11 to Sep 23 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 600 hours (500 to 800). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#kaga-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), early spring here. Kaga is a strong pollenizer for other hybrid plums but still needs a different one nearby, such as Toka or South Dakota. Avoid pairing it only with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hanska-plum\"\u003eHanska\u003c\/a\u003e, which has the same parentage. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e nearby covers the Canadian advice that hybrids need wild plum pollen. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 15 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 11 to Sep 23 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrairie Red Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Plant 12 to 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), pollenizing other trees (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 4-5 ft or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Kaga, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKaga is one of N.E. Hansen's old South Dakota hybrid plums. Bob Purvis calls it an \"excellent pollenizer for other hybrid plums,\" and that's the main reason to plant it, though the fruit is good for preserves too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHansen bred Kaga at the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station from the same parents as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hanska-plum\"\u003eHanska\u003c\/a\u003e: a wild northwestern \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eAmerican plum\u003c\/a\u003e (Prunus americana) crossed with Prunus simonii, the apricot plum of China. Hansen gave the introduction year as 1909, and Hedrick's The Plums of New York (1911) says 1910. According to Hansen, the name is Sioux for \"pitch a tent.\" He wrote that Kaga and Hanska were \"much alike in fruit and rapidity of growth,\" but \"many prefer the Kaga as a better annual bearer than Hanska.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBob Purvis describes the fruit as \"small to medium, bluish-black, very meaty, best used in preserves,\" ripening in early September in east-central Minnesota. Hansen described Hanska as bright red with a heavy blue bloom and said Kaga's fruit was much like it, so the color may vary with who's describing it. This is a plum for jam, sauce and cooking more than for eating out of hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurvis calls the tree small with a compact growth habit. Ours are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red plum\u003c\/a\u003e semi-dwarf rootstock, which is more uniform than native plum and tends to top out around 15 feet here. Plan on 12 to 15 feet between trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKaga needs a pollenizer itself, and it's a good one for other hybrid plums. Hansen wrote that plums \"do best in mixed orchards of several varieties.\" \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota\u003c\/a\u003e, Native American Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-ice-plum\"\u003eBlack Ice\u003c\/a\u003e all work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe haven't found a documented survival temperature for Kaga itself. W.T. Macoun listed it among the promising Hansen hybrids for southern Manitoba, and Purvis fruits it in east-central Minnesota. Its sister Hanska, from the same cross, came through -38F in Stevensville on January 12, 2024. We've listed Kaga at zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eRepresentative illustration, not Kaga itself: Hanska, Kaga's sister seedling from the same cross. Hansen said Kaga's fruit was much like it. Illustration: “Hanska” by Elsie Lower Pomeroy, USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection, Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/hdl.handle.net\/10113\/POM00004907\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePOM00004907\u003c\/a\u003e). Public domain. Cropped from the original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Kaga itself. Photos of Kaga are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “A close up of some fruit” by Anna Evans, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-close-up-of-some-fruit-B2R4jFnRT7E\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUnsplash\u003c\/a\u003e, under the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUnsplash License\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Kaga Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Kaga Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Kaga Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Kaga is a strong pollenizer for other hybrid plums but still needs a different one nearby, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota\u003c\/a\u003e. Avoid pairing it only with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hanska-plum\"\u003eHanska\u003c\/a\u003e, which has the same parentage. A \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e nearby covers the Canadian advice that hybrids need wild plum pollen. Partners we carry include Toka Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kahinta-plum\"\u003eKahinta Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, South Dakota Plum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Kaga Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Kaga Plum at zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. There's no documented survival temperature for Kaga itself, so that rating leans on its Manitoba and Minnesota record and on its sister Hanska coming through -38°F in Stevensville. We haven't wintered our own Kaga yet, so we'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Kaga Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 600 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 800. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Sister to Hanska, with the same American plum and apricot plum parents. Estimated around 600 chill hours, like its relatives Toka and Superior. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#kaga-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Kaga Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 11 to Sep 23 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Kaga Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Kaga Plum onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red Plum\u003c\/a\u003e (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant 12 to 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Kaga Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Kaga Plum are jams and jellies (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), pollenizing other trees (6\/10), sauce and butter (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Kaga Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Kaga Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Prairie Red Plum Semi-Dwarf: 4-5 ft.","offer_id":45177785811010,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Plum Semi-Dwarf: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45177785843778,"sku":null,"price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/bluish-black-plums-on-branch.jpg?v=1791615865"},{"product_id":"kahinta-plum","title":"Kahinta Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kahinta Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 3 from other growers' reports (winters to -40°F), not self-fertile, so it needs a different variety nearby as a pollenizer (bloom group 4 of 7, mid for a hybrid or Japanese plum), and it ripens about Sep 23 to Oct 5 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 3, colder half included (winters to -40°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 700 hours (500 to 900). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#kahinta-plum\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeeds Cross-Pollination. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), early spring here. Kahinta pollenizes other hybrids well but needs a partner itself, such as Toka or a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e. Good partners we carry: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior Plum\u003c\/a\u003e and 15 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/plum-pollination-map\"\u003ePlum Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 23 to Oct 5 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrairie Red Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Plant 12 to 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), pollenizing other trees (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA deer favorite. Fence it or cage it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 6-8 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Kahinta, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKahinta is another of N.E. Hansen's South Dakota hybrid plums. It's a dark red plum with yellow-orange flesh, it's good fresh, and like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga\u003c\/a\u003e it's a good pollenizer for other hybrid plums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHansen introduced Kahinta in 1912. It's a cross of Luther Burbank's Japanese plum Apple with Terry, a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003enative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e raised by H.A. Terry of Crescent, Iowa. Hansen said the name is Sioux for \"sweep.\" It's a sister seedling of Waneta and Tawena, and Hansen put the quality of all three as \"approximating that of the peach in excellence.\" He also noted Kahinta was the heaviest plum on the grounds during the very dry season of 1911, at about an ounce each.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHansen described it as an inch and a half across, dark red and roundish, with firm, sweet, yellow flesh. Fedco calls the skin \"brilliant red-purple\" and tart and the flesh \"translucent yellow-orange tart but quite flavorful,\" says it peels easily, and rates it very good for fresh eating or canning. Bob Purvis says it keeps well in the fridge, has been well accepted at farmers' markets in Idaho, and ripens early to mid September there. Hansen called it a freestone, but Fedco and Purvis both say clingstone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurvis and Fedco both describe a spreading tree, and Fedco says it \"bears more reliably than most other varieties in our orchard.\" Ours are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red plum\u003c\/a\u003e semi-dwarf rootstock, which is more uniform than native plum and tends to top out around 15 feet here. Plan on 12 to 15 feet between trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKahinta needs another plum to set fruit, and Purvis calls it a \"good pollenizer for other hybrid plums.\" \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota\u003c\/a\u003e, Native American Plum, Kaga, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-ice-plum\"\u003eBlack Ice\u003c\/a\u003e all work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFedco rates Kahinta zone 3. We haven't found a documented survival temperature yet. We've listed it at zone 3 and will update it once we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Kahinta itself. Photos of Kahinta are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Prunus domestica fruits 001” by StMH, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Prunus_domestica_fruits_001.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 3.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Kahinta Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Kahinta Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Kahinta Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Kahinta pollenizes other hybrids well but needs a partner itself, such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include Toka Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-dakota-plum\"\u003eSouth Dakota Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Kahinta Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Kahinta Plum at zone 3, which means winters down to about -40°F. That comes from Fedco's zone 3 rating, not a documented survival temperature or our own winters. We'll update it once we've wintered our own trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Kahinta Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 700 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 900. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#kahinta-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Kahinta Plum ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 23 to Oct 5 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Kahinta Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Kahinta Plum onto \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red Plum\u003c\/a\u003e (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant 12 to 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Kahinta Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Kahinta Plum are fresh eating (8\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), pollenizing other trees (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on Hansen, Fedco and Purvis rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Kahinta Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Kahinta Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Prairie Red Plum Semi-Dwarf: 6-8 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45177790758978,"sku":null,"price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/dark-red-plums-yellow-flesh.jpg?v=1791615748"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/hybrid-plum-trees.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}