Prunus salicina Methley (Japanese Plum)

Prunus salicina 'Methley' is a small, upright, Japanese plum tree with a wide spreading canopy clothed in elliptic, finely serrated, bright green leaves. In early spring, it bursts into a profusion of white blossoms that perfume the air with a fragrance reminiscent of Oriental incense. They are followed by a heavy crop of medium-sized, round to conical, purple-red plums of excellent flavor. The fruits ripen over a long season from early to mid-summer and require several pickings. The flesh is red, sweet, and very juicy. They are perfect for eating or making jelly. This Japanese plum tree is self-pollinating, but you may still want to plant pollinating partners to increase the size of your crops. Heat tolerant, Methley needs only a short period of winter dormancy. Because it blooms early, it is more susceptible to spring frost.

• Typically grows 20 ft. tall and wide (6 m) at maturity. The dwarf variety grows up to 8–10 ft. tall and wide (2-3 m).
• Performs best in full sun in loamy, mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soil, well-drained soils.
• This Japanese Plum tree will begin fruiting in 2-4 growing seasons.
• This plum tree has a chill hours requirement of 150-250 (hours of temperatures below 45ºF (7ºC) in the winter for their buds to open in the spring).
• Train your plum tree when young to an open-center shape to make sure all branches will always be bathed in light and air.
• Plums require minimal pruning which should be done after flowering when the tree is still leafless. In maturity, prune mostly to let light into the center of the tree and to encourage a moderate amount of new growth for the following year’s fruit. About 20% of the new growth each year is removed to rejuvenate the tree and control its spread.
• Hand-thin the fruits (if the crop is heavy) so that they are 5 in. apart.
• Japanese plums can be picked before they are completely ripe since they will finish ripening off the tree
• Keep an eye out for bacterial canker, bacterial leaf spot, brown rot, and black knot disease.