by Ashley Strabel | RGS & AWS Forest Wildlife Specialist, Department of Natural Resources
From New Mexico to Quebec, people and wildlife alike enjoy savoring the succulent fruits of the wild plum (Prunus americana). The wild plum fruit can grow about an inch long and ranges in color from yellow to red to purple, reaching a perfect ripeness at the time when it falls off the stem into your hand when you try to pick it. Although it’s smaller than the plums you may find in grocery stores grown from domestic cultivars, this native fruit can be consumed in a variety of ways, from jellies and sauces to a fresh snack straight from the tree. Indigenous populations also found medicinal uses for both the plum tree and the fruit.
The wide distribution of the wild plum is complimented by its wide uses by wildlife. Wild plum is one of the first shrubs to bloom in spring. As the snow melts and the earth begins to reclaim its lively lushness, these five-petalled, white flowers growing in clusters on spur shoots are the first on the scene. The flowers give pollinators the critical energy they need when little food is available in the early spring. Wild plum often grows in dense patches because it spreads by root suckers. As its green leaves unfurl, a dense thicket of plum creates the perfect spot for a doe rabbit to hide her nest of new bunnies. In the plum thicket, the bunnies will have the company of a wide variety of birds nesting and seeking cover in the branches overhead. When the warm days of summer begin to dip into cooler nights, around the end of August, what used to be flowers hanging from the branches will have evolved into a round drupe. At this time, wildlife – from birds to mammals to insects – will be drawn to the plum trees to consume the fresh fruit. As winter comes and the leaves fall off, a deer may find refuge in the plum thicket and seek protection from its spiny branches. There’s no shortage to the benefits of wild plum to wildlife.
Many game bird species benefit from wild plum on the landscape. When wild plum is growing in open prairies and grasslands, sharp-tailed grouse utilize wild plum thickets for food and winter cover. In areas where the habitat is conducive for ruffed grouse like forest edges, they will similarly use these thickets for food and cover. Woodcock don’t eat soft masts like plums, but they also benefit from the cover provided by a wild plum thicket. Turkeys have been known to nest in wild plum thickets and they also eat the fruits. With wild plum being one of the first to bloom in spring, it supports early insect production, which then serves as food for all of these game bird species.
Wild plum can grow up to 24 feet tall, but it’s often found at a shorter height in dense patches. It’s more common for it to reproduce from root sprouts than from seed. The ability for it to resprout from its roots enables it to grow back after being top-killed by fire; however, this species’ prevalence was historically limited by wildfires prior to the modern practice of fire suppression. It grows best in sun to partial shade areas, and can be found growing in fencerows, shrub communities and along forest edges. Depending on the region, wild plum may be found encroaching prairies, along streambanks, in oak savannas or in the forest understory. The soils that suit wild plum range from well-drained to moist. The current range of wild plum covers the eastern and central U.S., up into Canada, and there’s even a population in Washington State. This range was likely expanded over history by both people indigenous to North America as well as early European settlers.
The indigenous people of North America used wild plum as both food and medicine. Wild plum was cultivated by indigenous people, and the fruit was consumed both fresh and dried. The bark and root from the trees were used to treat diarrhea, and the roots were used to make a salve for cuts. The fruit was also used to treat mouth sores. It’s no surprise wild plum was transported by people to be planted in new locations due to its numerous uses.
Planting wild plum is beneficial to both wildlife and the general ecosystem. Establishing wild plum for wildlife provides cover and food from both browse and fruit for a wide variety of species. Wild plum can also be utilized to prevent soil erosion and serve as a wind or snow break. It can be planted as a landscape species that provides beautiful white blooms early in spring. Honeybees are the most common pollinator of wild plum, so, in addition to the beautiful blooms, the pollinators will also benefit when this plant is utilized in landscaping. Plant wild plum in an area where it has space to expand with its root sprouts or else you should plan to cut around the tree to limit its spread. Plum trees are sometimes found growing near old homesteads and will colonize old pastures. It’s common for these plum trees to be hybridized species of wild plum and domestic cultivars. Wild plum has also been hybridized with commercial plum cultivars.
Humans can enjoy the fruit of wild plum as a tasty fresh snack or processed into other goods such as jam. There’s a large pit in plums, which must be removed prior to consumption. Not only is the pit undesirable to eat, but it’s actually poisonous. The pit contains cyanide, which is toxic to humans. When consumed, cyanide can cause headaches, respiratory issues and even death. However, the cyanide in the plum pit will only cause poisoning if it’s chewed or ground up. You’d have to consume many ground pits to experience serious side effects. So, if you accidentally swallow a plum pit, no worries, death by plum pit isn’t a concern!
