Canada plum

Canada plum plants prefer moist soil, so keeping the soil lightly moist is key to their health. Water your Canada plum trees once a week during the growing season and keep the soil evenly moist ensuring that the top 4 inches of the soil is kept moderately moist. During the fruit-ripening period in summer, water more frequently to prevent fruit from cracking and splitting. In winter, water less as the tree goes dormant.

Canada plum is a deciduous tree that thrives best in full sunlight. Its leaves are dark green and its fruits are dark purple when ripe. As far as sunlight requirements go, Canada plum trees should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, ideally during the mornings between 8 am and 12 pm. However, they can tolerate part shade or filtered sunlight during the afternoon. It is best to avoid placing the tree in a fully shaded area as it will not receive enough sunlight to fully thrive.

Canada plums (Prunus nigra) should be pruned in late spring to early summer, after the main flush of blooming or fruiting. These plants have a relatively slow growth habit, and should only be pruned to shape or reduce the size of the tree. Pruning should focus on young, fast-growing shoots, removing only about 20-30 percent of the foliage each year. When pruning, use sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors, and eliminate branches that are diseased, dead, broken, or growing inwardly towards the center of the tree.