{"title":"Wild \u0026 American Plum Trees","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmerican plum (\u003cem\u003ePrunus americana\u003c\/em\u003e) is the wild plum of the Great Plains and much of the eastern and central U.S. It's a tough, thicket-forming small tree with white flowers in early spring and small red to yellow plums that make great jelly. Here you'll find our Native American plum seedlings, plus Prairie Red and South Dakota, two named plums from the same wild stock. They're rated to zone 2 or 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"mft-more\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eMore about wild plums\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eWild plums need a partner. Our Native American plum seedlings are each genetically different, so plant the whole bundle together and they'll pollenize each other. Prairie Red and South Dakota each need a different plum nearby, such as a Native American seedling or a hybrid like Toka.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey pollenize other plums too. Native American plum and South Dakota are two of the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hybrid-plum-pollenizers\"\u003ebest pollenizers for hybrid plums\u003c\/a\u003e like Toka and Superior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmerican plum suckers and spreads into a thicket over time, which is what you want for a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/windbreak-hedgerow\"\u003ehedgerow or windbreak\u003c\/a\u003e or for wildlife cover. If you want a single tree, mow or pull the suckers. South Dakota is grafted on native plum rootstock and grows about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeer go after Prairie Red and South Dakota, so cage or fence them. The Native American seedlings only get damaged sometimes. If you're planting for deer, see our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fruit-trees-for-deer-food-plots\"\u003efruit trees for deer and food plots\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor jelly, wild plums are hard to beat, and all three are on our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/best-plums-for-jams-jellies\"\u003ebest plums for jams and jellies\u003c\/a\u003e list. Want more natives? See our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/native-trees\"\u003enative trees\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions We Get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs American plum the same as wild plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost of the time, yes. On the Great Plains, wild plum almost always means American plum, Prunus americana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo wild plums need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Plant two genetically different plums. Our Native American plum bundle covers that by itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is American plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Native American plum and Prairie Red are rated to zone 2 (winters to -50°F), and South Dakota to zone 3 (winters to -40°F).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"native-american-plum-bundle-of-2","title":"Native American Plum (Bundle of 3) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Native American Plum is a plum tree rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and self-incompatible, so plant two genetically different plants (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 9. 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 800 hours (600 to 1,200). 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#native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Incompatible - Plant Two Genotypes. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), early spring here. Each seedling needs pollen from a different wild plum, so plant the whole bundle together. They also make excellent pollenizers for hybrid plums like Toka, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alderman-plum\"\u003eAlderman\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 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\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (8\/10), feeding wildlife (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), pollinators (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\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root. 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\u003eThe Native American Plum produces fragrant, white flowers in showy, flat-topped clusters that appear before the leaves in spring. These blooms are tied with Linden for the best floral, perfumy blossom smell when in full bloom. Their scent is unreal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEdible Fruit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit that follows ripens to a shiny, bright red in August or September. It’s great fresh (if left to ripen longer on the tree), dried, or made into preserves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGreat for Pollinators\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tree will pollenize other Native American Plums, making it a perfect choice for creating a natural windbreak or attracting pollinators. Help support native pollinators with this addition to your landscape!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHardy and Adaptable\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy to zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese trees are 3–5 ft. tall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Prunus americana - American (wild) plum - Flickr - Matt Lavin” by Matt Lavin, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Prunus_americana_-_American_(wild)_plum_-_Flickr_-_Matt_Lavin.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Prunus americana - American (wild) plum - Flickr - Matt Lavin (5)” by Matt Lavin, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Prunus_americana_-_American_(wild)_plum_-_Flickr_-_Matt_Lavin_(5).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Native American Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Native American Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Native American 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 Native American Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,200. 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#native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Native American Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Native American Plum are jams and jellies (8\/10), feeding wildlife (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Native American Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Native American Plum now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Native American 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. 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":"Default Title","offer_id":42472438464578,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/american-plum-ripe-fruit.jpg?v=1791616178"},{"product_id":"prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2","title":"Prairie Red Plum (Bundle of 2) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prairie Red 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 8. 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 800 hours (600 to 1,200). 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#prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\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. Prairie Red plants grown from the same original plant cannot pollenize each other, so add a Native American plum seedling or a different hybrid such as Toka. Good partners we carry: \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, \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\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJams and jellies (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10), feeding wildlife (6\/10), fresh eating (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. 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;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/em\u003e plum is a hybrid, very cold-hardy, thicket-forming, small tree that reaches up to 15 feet in height. White flowers appear in early May, followed by larger, edible reddish-yellow to red fruit in late summer and fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eFruit Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThe plums are sweeter when left on the tree for longer and are fairly large in size (see photo).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCold Hardiness and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/em\u003e has survived cold temperatures in Montana and is widely planted on the prairies (in Canada, the Dakotas, and Eastern Montana) as a shelterbelt for wind. It serves the dual purpose of providing both wind protection and a fruit yield. We have also used \u003cem\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/em\u003e as rootstock for grafting Asian-American hybrid plums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eWildlife Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThis tree provides good food and habitat for wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eCold Tolerance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/em\u003e is hardy to Zone 2 (-50°F or more). These trees are 3–5 ft. tall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Prairie Red Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Prairie Red Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Prairie Red Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. Prairie Red plants grown from the same original plant cannot pollenize each other, so add a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eNative American plum\u003c\/a\u003e seedling or a different hybrid such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e. Partners we carry include Native American Plum (Bundle of 3), Toka Plum, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kaga-plum\"\u003eKaga Plum\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Prairie Red Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Prairie Red 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 Prairie Red Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,200. 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#prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Prairie Red Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Prairie Red Plum are jams and jellies (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10), feeding wildlife (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Prairie Red Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect Prairie Red Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Prairie Red 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. 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":"3-5 ft.","offer_id":42535338311746,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/prairie-red-plum-on-tree.webp?v=1789020829"},{"product_id":"south-dakota-plum","title":"South Dakota Plum (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e South Dakota 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 800 hours (600 to 1,200). 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#south-dakota-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. South Dakota's long bloom makes it a great pollenizer for hybrid plums, but it needs a different plum 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\/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\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 10 to 14 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 (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10), feeding wildlife (7\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (7\/10), fresh eating (6\/10), ornamental value (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\u003eWhere it came from\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRead about \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hansen-and-the-northern-great-plains\"\u003eN.E. Hansen and the northern Great Plains\u003c\/a\u003e and what else came out of it.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-4 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\u003eSouth Dakota plum is an extremely cold-hardy \u003ca href=\"\/products\/native-american-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003eAmerican plum\u003c\/a\u003e selection valued for its toughness, dependable fruiting, and long history of use across the northern Great Plains. It produces small to medium plums with classic American plum character — highly aromatic, sweet-tart when fully ripe, and especially well suited for preserves, sauces, and fresh eating at peak ripeness. The tree is widely grown in cold continental climates where European and Japanese plums often fail and is also valued as a strong pollenizer for other hardy plums and Asian–American hybrid plums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouth Dakota plum belongs to the American plum species (Prunus americana), a native North American fruit species known for extreme cold tolerance, adaptability, and reliability in harsh environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouth Dakota plum is best understood as a named regional selection within the American plum species, originating from extremely cold regions of the northern Great Plains. It was selected from hardy native or seedling American plum populations growing in South Dakota for improved fruit quality and reliable production under severe winter conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmerican plum itself is native to central and eastern North America and historically played a major role in early prairie horticulture. Native populations were widely used by Indigenous peoples and later selected by settlers and experiment stations for fruit production, shelterbelts, and hardy orchard plantings. Because American plums show significant variation when grown from seed, superior individuals were historically identified and propagated locally. South Dakota plum represents one of these hardy regional selections preserved through cultivation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe selection reflects a broader Great Plains tradition of fruit improvement focused on winter survival, adaptability, and dependable cropping rather than large commercial fruit size. American plum genetics also played an important role in early northern fruit breeding work, including programs in South Dakota, Minnesota, and the Canadian prairie provinces that sought to develop plums capable of surviving extreme continental winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouth Dakota plum produces small to medium round fruit with red to reddish skin and yellow flesh. The fruit has a strong sweet-tart flavor typical of American plums, with noticeable acidity balanced by sugars when fully ripe. Flavor is often highly aromatic and intense compared with many commercial plums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is well suited for fresh eating when fully tree-ripened but is especially valued for preserves, jelly, sauce, fruit leather, and processing because the strong flavor carries well through cooking. Yields can be heavy under good growing conditions. Fruit typically ripens in late summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouth Dakota plum grows as a small tree or large multi-stemmed shrub, typically reaching about 10–20 feet tall with a spreading habit. Like other American plums, it may produce root suckers and can form colonies or hedgerows if unmanaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrees produce abundant white blossoms in early spring, often before leaf emergence, followed by summer fruit. The plant is vigorous and well adapted to wind exposure, drought, and variable soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor managed single-tree form, spacing of about 10–14 feet between trees is typical.\u003cbr\u003eIf grown in a more natural or thicket-form system, spacing of 16–20 feet or more allows for spreading growth and suckering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouth Dakota plum is not self-fertile and requires cross-pollination from another compatible plum with overlapping bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an American plum type, it is compatible with other American plums and many cold-hardy Asian–American hybrid plums commonly grown in northern climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReliable pollenizers include:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative American plum and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red plum\u003c\/a\u003e, which share compatible genetics and bloom timing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAsian–American hybrid plums such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/toka-plum\"\u003eToka\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-ice-plum\"\u003eBlack Ice\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hanska-plum\"\u003eHanska\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/superior-plum\"\u003eSuperior\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pipestone-plum\"\u003ePipestone\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/underwood-plum\"\u003eUnderwood\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alderman-plum\"\u003eAlderman\u003c\/a\u003e. These hardy hybrid plums commonly overlap bloom with American plum types in cold climates and are widely planted together for reliable fruit set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlanting at least two genetically distinct hardy plums within bee flight distance provides the most consistent pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouth Dakota plum was selected from extremely cold Great Plains conditions and is highly adapted to severe continental winters. Can survive temps into the -40s. Maybe not below -45F, though. As a selection of American plum, it is suited to very cold climates and performs reliably in northern orchard regions where winter survival is critical. We're listing it conservatively at zone 3 (-40°F).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmerican plum types are valued not only for fruit production but also for ecological benefits including pollinator support, wildlife habitat, and ornamental spring bloom. The blooms are amazing in Montana in the Spring. Especially in Eastern Montana. Head out down 310 south of Billings in the Fromberg\/Bridger\/Belfry area towards the end of May and you'll see all the native american plums along the irrigation ditches in bloom. An incredible sight. Trees show strong adaptability to challenging conditions but may sucker and spread over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouth Dakota plum represents a traditional hardy prairie fruit selection emphasizing winter survival, strong productivity, and adaptability rather than large commercial fruit size, making it well suited to cold-climate orchard systems and homestead plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about South Dakota Plum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes South Dakota Plum need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. South Dakota Plum needs pollen from a different variety that blooms at about the same time. South Dakota's long bloom makes it a great pollenizer for hybrid plums, but it needs a different plum 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 South Dakota Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate South Dakota 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 South Dakota Plum need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,200. 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#south-dakota-plum\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does South Dakota Plum get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft South Dakota Plum onto Native Plum (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Plant 10 to 14 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is South Dakota Plum good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for South Dakota Plum are jams and jellies (8\/10), pollenizing other trees (7\/10), feeding wildlife (7\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat South Dakota Plum?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, deer love it. Protect South Dakota Plum with a fence or a cage, especially while it is young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does South Dakota 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: 2-4 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: 2-4 ft. (One Year Older)","offer_id":42504643510338,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/south-dakota-plum-on-tree.jpg?v=1789021077"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/collections\/american-plum-ripe-fruit.jpg?v=1793200126","url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/wild-american-plum-trees.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}