Superior Plum Trees for Sale

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on June 21, 2022

Planting instructions

When growing a Superior plum tree, it is crucial to select a growing location that receives a lot of direct sunlight exposure each day. Typically, sun exposure for six hours or more is ideal. The more sunlight you give your superior plum tree, the better your tree will be able to produce an ample harvest. You should also note the mature size of this plant before you put it in the ground. A superior plum tree can grow to be about 20 feet tall and 20 feet wide.

Watering and nutrients

Like many fruit-bearing trees, the Superior plum tree needs a balance of soil moisture and drainage. A Superior plum tree will not enjoy sitting in waterlogged soils. However, it does enjoy receiving water regularly. Typically, you should give your tree water once per week during the growing season. However, a better approach is to monitor soil moisture and add water once the first few layers of soil have dried out. Fertilization needs are low — a single application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is often enough.

Pollination

Pollination is of critical importance for Superior plum trees since producing fruit is typically the main goal of growing this plant. Superior plum trees are not self-fertile plants, meaning that you’ll need to have a companion plant nearby to allow pollination to occur. The companion plant you choose can be a different plum variety as long as it blooms at the same time as the Superior plum tree, which occurs in spring. These plums can rely on both wind and insects to conduct pollination.

Pruning

The best time to prune a Superior plum tree is in the late winter months. During that season, you can remove dead and diseased parts of the plant. You should also focus on pruning to keep the structure of your tree strong and capable of holding heavy fruits. Branches that grow at a narrow angle to the trunk are often more prone to breakage, which is why it is wise to remove them in favor of more horizontal branches. Pruning is also a great way to open the canopy and allow for air circulation.

Pests, diseases, and animals

Unfortunately, if you grow a Superior plum tree, you can expect to encounter plenty of disease and pest problems. Be prepared to recognize the signs of these afflictions and respond with the correct treatment, whether that be fungal spray or insecticide treatment. Some of the most common diseases for this plant are black knot, plum pox, canker, and leaf spot. Additionally, beetles, fruit drop, and fruit scarring can be significant problems for the Superior plum tree.

Harvesting

If pollination is successful, your Superior plum tree will begin to develop a set of delicious fruit that will be ready for harvest later in the growing season. When they are ready for picking, these plums will be round and have a deep purple color. They will likely be somewhat soft to the touch and be relatively easy to remove by hand. Often, all you’ll need to do is push one of the plums up gently against the branch. This action should cause the plum’s stem to release from the branch.

Achieving maximum results

As we mentioned above, Superior plum trees can be susceptible to many pests and diseases. The good news is that there are ways to minimize the risk of those complications. For instance, you can use pruning to reduce the chance of disease. The best way to do so is to thin the canopy so that air can pass through the leaves and branches freely. With proper air circulation, it is less likely that excessive moisture will accumulate in the canopy, which, in turn, makes it less likely that moisture-related problems, like powdery mildew, will appear.

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