Nature Walk: Wild Plum

“Wild plums are short far as trees go, often no more than 12 feet in height. They also generally appear to be clone trees, meaning they all originate from a single tree and have connected roots that form a dense domed thicket. The oldest and tallest trees are located in the center. In late summer wild plum fruits begin to ripen on small stiff branches covered with short spines. They begin small and green, turn yellow and then eventually deep red. Normally they are tart to the taste and can be used for jams and jellies.” – Carl Kurtz