Methley Plum Tree
Description
About the Methley Plum Tree
Methley Plum trees are known for their ease of growth, abundance of sweet fruit, and the ornamental beauty of the tree itself. Originating in South Africa, Methley Plum was introduced to the United States in 1922. It is a variety of Japanese Plum, prunus salicina ‘Methley.’
The plums are known for their mild, sweet taste, and red to purple colored skin. The flesh is red and juicy. These plums are clingstone, meaning the pit clings to the flesh of the fruit, and the tree is a heavy bearer, producing a high yield of fruit.
The Methley Plum makes a stunning ornamental tree with its showy, white, fragrant blossoms in the early spring. The tree is beautiful in the summer as the red to purple plums develop against the green foliage. In the winter, the graceful shape of the tree is revealed.
Using the Fruit
An abundance of fruit can be produced by a single tree. Home gardeners and homesteaders will enjoy eating the plums fresh or cooking with them. Plums can be made into jam, canned, or dehydrated into prunes.
Plums are good sources of fiber and high in vitamins A, C, and K. The Methley Plum is high in the antioxidants known as anthocyanins due to its dark red coloring.
Growing Methley Plum Trees
These fruit trees need full sun. They are disease resistant to fungal diseases like rust and are heat tolerant. Once established, they are drought tolerant. The plums will ripen in mid-summer, May to July depending upon climate.
Methley Plums produce suckers, which should be cut back when they first make an appearance. They need a short period of winter dormancy, so are a good variety to grow in warmer climates. The tree has a medium growth rate.
It is self-pollinating, but cross pollinating with other Japanese plum trees will result in greater yield. See below for USDA growing zones.
Buy an easy to grow Methley Plum tree and enjoy this beautiful plant and its delicious fruit!
Survival Guaranteed!
Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | White |
| Bloom Time | Early |
| Chill Hours | 200 |
| Fruit Color | Red |
| Fruit Size | Medium |
| Hardiness Zone Range | 5 - 9 |
| Pollination | Self-Pollinating |
| Ripens/Harvest | Mid July |
| Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 7.0 |
| Taste | Sweet |
| Texture | Firm |
| Years to Bear | 3 - 6 |
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
Recommended Spacing
Zone Compatibility
Pollination
This variety is self pollinating.
Tools & Supplies
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow plum trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Shipping Information
Arrives when it's time to plant
Questions & Answers
Customer Reviews
It is leafing and branching out very nicely for a new bare-root shipped tree. It's one of the healthiest-looking of over a dozen fruit trees and bushes I've planted this spring.
Photos are of the day it was planted in late April 2024, and now in the first week of August 2024. The mesh is 3 feet tall, for reference.
self pollination and compatible with zone 8
I bought this because I already have a Santa Rosa plum tree and soon to have a Shiro plum tree and wanted another very productive plum tree to try it's fruit and to be a pollinator to the others. I'm…
Great variety
Hope this can take a wet, maritime climate with occasional winter temperatures Fahrenheit in single digits.