How2Day: Plum Trees in the Desert

The best kinds of plums for deserts are the types that ripen early in the summer, are self-fruitful by pollinating themselves and have low chilling requirements. These plum trees are also deciduous, whereby the fruit falls off the tree by itself. Many of these trees can reach up to 20 or more feet in height and produce an abundant number of plums.

According to the The University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Santa Rosa is the most popular plum in California and Arizona. The fruit from this is tree is large and has a dark reddish purple color with red flesh. It is a self-pollinating tree and can be planted in locations where pollination is not needed, including the desert. It grows up to 12 feet in height and is only recommended where the chance of a frost is considered minimal. The tree produces white blossoms in late May. By the third year is produces fruits that are ready to be harvested in late July or early August.

The Beauty is a sweet and flavorful Japanese plum. It has a bright red skin with an amber flesh that is streaked with red. The Beauty plum tree is self fertile, ripens in the early part of June and can grow to more than 20 feet in height. It requires full sun and can adapt to nearly any kind of soil. It requires a full pruning in the winter and limited pruning in the summer. The Beauty is a fast-growing plum and starts producing fruit when it is still in a nursery. It also is known for the high number of plums it yields.

The Methley plum tree produces a fruit that is juicy and sweet with a mild flavor. The plum has a skin that is a reddish-purple and a flesh that is red in color. It is self-fruitful, grows rapidly and produces a bountiful yield of plums. The Methley plum ripes in early June and is considered a good choice in coastal areas. This Japanese plum tree requires full sun and can grow in just about any soil. It can also grow to 20 feet or more. The plums are large compared to some other plum trees and have an oval shape.

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