Prunus cerasifera

Common name: Myrobolan plum, Myrobolan plum, Wild plum

Description:

Deciduous tree native to Turkey and the Caucasus region. It reaches a height of about 3-4 m, even 9 m in height if the right conditions are met. Its leaves are simple, elliptical and with green jagged edges slightly tinged with bronze, small and deciduous. The cup is rounded and somewhat messy with a multitude of branches.

Flowering occurs in spring, before the leaves, typical of the Rosaceae family with large white petals.

The fruits appear after flowering giving rise to fleshy fruits, known as plums, which are also edible. The seeds are large and bony.

Culture:

The plum tree must be planted in a place where it receives sun with a rich and deep soil with contributions of organic matter. It supports cold climates, withstanding strong frosts, however it does not support late frosts. It is suitable for cities as it also tolerates high levels of pollution and moderate droughts.

It is necessary to give it a pruning during the winter rest, as it encourages the appearance of flowers that will later become fruits. You have to remove all kinds of high branches, suckers and dead wood.

It usually has a problem with rust, aphids and mealybugs that are easy to treat.

Multiplication:

It can be reproduced through seed, layering or cutting, although the most usual is to graft it on a Prunus dulcis foot to obtain a more vigorous little tree.

Applications:

Its ornamental uses are diverse, using these shade trees as solitary decorative elements or in alignments. It also has its horticultural interest with what is not usually missing in the garden.