2 Native Plum Trees In Ohio (Pictures & Care Tips)

If you’re considering planting plum trees in Ohio, you’re in luck! The climate in Ohio is ideal for plum tree cultivation, which will reward you with an abundance of fresh, tasty fruit and add to the aesthetic appeal of your yard at the same time.

Although Ohio does not have a wide variety of plum tree species, it does have two of the most beautiful native varieties that are sure to attract both birds and humans into your garden. 

In this article, we will walk you through the two native plum trees in Ohio along with high-quality pictures and detailed descriptions, so that you can make an informed choice easily.

Let us delve into the world of native plum trees in Ohio and discover the wonders they have to offer.

1. American Plum

• Common Name: American Plum
• Scientific Name: Prunus americana
• Mature Height: 10-15 feet
• Native/Non-Native: Native
• Flowers/Cones: Flowers
• Uses: Edible fruit, ornamental tree

American Plum trees are the most commonly found plum trees in Ohio. It is a tiny, fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 10-15 feet. It has a single trunk and several branches, with dark green, pointed leaves that range in shape from rectangular to oval. 

The bark is reddish-brown or gray in tone, with big, light-colored horizontal markings and sharp thorns. The brilliant white blossoms of the American Plum are exceedingly fragrant and attract wildlife such as bees and butterflies. 

The fruit that results is a huge, meaty red plum that is edible and highly valued by both wildlife and humans. The fruit can be eaten fresh or used to produce excellent jellies and jams. The American Plum looks identical to the Canada Plum, but it can be distinguished by the absence of two little red glands on its leafstalks. 

The American Plum is a natural American tree that can be found throughout the country. It favors moist soils in expansive fields and along woodland edges and prefers open, sunny areas above the shade. The leaves of the American Plum turn golden yellow in the fall. 

The stinging thorns of the American Plum tree were utilized for repairing garments and other duties in ancient times. When twigs are crushed, they frequently emit a bitter almond odor.

2. Canada Plum

• Common Name: Canada Plum 
• Scientific Name: Prunus nigra 
• Mature Height: 15–20 feet 
• Native/Non-Native: Native 
• Flowers/Cones: 5-petaled white flowers 
• Uses: Eaten by wildlife, ripe plums make great jams or jellies 

Among the two native plum trees in Ohio, the Canada Plum is the tallest variety and can reach heights upwards of 20 feet. Its trunk is short and crooked, and its top is uneven. 

The leaves are oval, tapering to a sharp point at the tip. They are dark green and feature two little red swellings known as glands on the leafstalk. 

When young, the bark of this tree is dark gray, maturing to brown and becoming smooth, flaking into scales, and armed with 1 to 3-inch long stinging thorns. 

The tree’s blossoms are fragrant and grow in clusters of five-petaled white flowers approximately an inch in diameter. The Canada Plum fruit is a red-to-orange plum that is edible and spherical, with a diameter of around 1 inch. It has one big seed. 

Canada Plum trees thrive in the lush, moist soils of river valleys. They are dispersed across their range in southeastern Canada. The tree has a life expectancy of 25-50 years. 

Birds, raccoons, and other small mammals usually consume the fruit. Ripe plums make fantastic jams and jellies. Although the entire tree is coated in long sharp thorns, many people grow it as an ornamental tree in the spring for the stunning display of white blossoms.

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Native Plum trees In Ohio – Sources

The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.

1. Trees Of Ohio, Division Of Wildlife
2. Trees Of Ohio Field Guide, ​​Book by Stan Tekiela
3. Ohio Trees, OSU Extension Publications
4. Native Plant Lists, Ohio Department Of Natural Resources
5. Ohio Department Of Agriculture
6. Gardening, The Ohio State University