Chickasaw Plum: A Fragrant Florida Native

Chickasaw Plum Overview

Chickasaw plum, prunus angustifolia, is an American plum tree species that is a native plant in Florida. Its natural range covers North and Central Florida. As well as producing edible fruit, Chickasaw plum trees bloom with plentiful clusters of white flowers. These fragrant flowers look stunning on the tree's bare branches, appearing before foliage begins to grow in late spring.

Chickasaw plum can be grown as an ornamental tree or for the benefit of local wildlife, but it is also cultivated as a tree that produces edible fruit. These native plums are small and tart; they can be enjoyed straight from the tree, or made into a delicious jelly.

Choosing a Fruit Tree

Native trees such as Chickasaw plum are an excellent choice for growing in your landscape. Wild plum trees are suited to the local climate and conditions, and will bring benefits for native wildlife as well.

However, Florida's climate makes it suited to growing various different types of fruit tree. If you're not yet sold on growing wild plums, there are plenty of other options, including citrus, figs, bananas and mangos. Here are our top tips for selecting the right type of fruit tree for your own backyard:

• Choose a fruit you like to eat! It can take many years for trees to mature enough to produce edible fruit. Many fruit trees need a lot of care. So it's a good idea to pick something you're committed to!
• Ensure that you choose a variety of a suitable size for the space you have. Most fruit trees will have several different cultivars available, including dwarf varieties.
• Many types of fruit tree require winter weather below a certain temperature to stimulate fruit production. Look for a cultivar that is suited to the climate where you live.
• Check the pollination requirements of the tree you want to grow. Although some fruit trees self-pollinate, others require cross-pollination, meaning you would need to plant different varieties.

Landscaping Uses for Chickasaw Plum

Chickasaw plum is sometimes grown as a single specimen tree. However, it tends to produce root suckers around the trunk that quickly grow into a thorny thicket. This can be prevented with careful pruning, or encouraged to grow as a privacy screen.

Although it can grow as tall as 20 to 25 feet, Chickasaw plum tends to be smaller, around 6-12 feet tall. It works well as part of a backyard shrub border or alongside a deck or patio. This American plum species provides a display of beautiful flowers in spring, followed by narrow leaves, then small, edible plums in late summer. These ripen from yellow to a deep shade of red. Beautiful fall colors complete the year-round display as the leaves drop.

Chickasaw plum is a well-suited addition to any wildlife garden. The flowers attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and, if allowed to become a thicket, this native plant provides a nesting site for birds and a habitat for squirrels and other small animals. Its small, tart plums are enjoyed by people and animals alike!

How to Grow Chickasaw Plum

Location

As with most types of fruit tree, Chickasaw plum will do best if planted in full sun. It is also able to tolerate partial shade. Choose a site that is easy to irrigate and be sure to give your tree plenty of water until it is established.

Soil Type

Chickasaw plum will grow in a wide range of soil types such as sandy soil, loam or clay. It prefers an acidic pH. Your IFAS County Extension Office can help with soil testing if you're not sure what soil type you have.

Care

Once established, Chickasaw plum is relatively drought-tolerant. However, it will still benefit from watering during dry periods. This native plum tree will naturally grow into a small thicket from the root suckers that form around the stem.

This arrangement provides an ideal shelter for wildlife, including songbirds, and may be something you wish to encourage.

Another benefit of allowing Chickasaw plum trees to form a thicket is that, although the individual trees do not live for very long, the thicket will continue to thrive as new trees take over.

If a neater look is preferred, the root suckers can be trimmed back. Be careful of the large thorns when pruning.

Alternatives to Chickasaw Plum

Flatwoods Plum

Flatwoods plum, prunus umbellata, is a similar tree. Like Chickasaw plum, it produces abundant white blooms before getting its leaves in spring. It also grows edible fruit: flatwoods plum's small, purple plums range from sweet to tart in flavor.

Unlike Chickasaw plum, this North American native tree does not form many root suckers. It can be a good alternative for homeowners who prefer the look of a single tree rather than a thicket.

Gulf Cultivars

Several plum cultivars have been specifically designed for growing in Florida's warm climate. These include:

• Gulf beauty
• Gulf blaze
• Gulf rose

These Gulf cultivars do not require very low winter chill temperatures to bear fruit. Their small plums are ready to harvest in late spring. Be aware that these cultivars require cross-pollination, so you'll need to plant another variety such as Chickasaw plum or flatwoods plum for pollination.

Loquat

The loquat, or Japanese plum, is an evergreen fruit tree that has been cultivated for thousands of years in Asia. It grows well throughout Florida in full sun, planted in well-drained soil. Its white flowers, with their sweet fragrance, bloom fall through late winter, and its sweet, juicy fruits are ready to harvest in early spring.

Various Japanese plum varieties are available, with a range of different flavors.  Be careful of freezing temperatures over the winter months, as this can damage fruits and flowers.

For help planning out your fruit trees, or any other landscaping requirements, get in touch with LawnMore Gainesville!

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