Purple Leaf Plum Tree Pros and Cons

Plum trees with purple leaves make lovely additions to your backyard orchard. This small tree, sometimes known as cherry plum, produces flowers and fruit in temperate to mild regions.

Plum trees (Prunus cerasifera) are perennial trees with tiny leaves. Their growth pattern is upright or spreading. In the spring, the slender branches are covered in aromatic flowers that provide a spectacular appearance. In the summer, the pale pink blossoms transform into purple drupes. Wild birds enjoy these fruits, which are also edible to humans. The bark is also pretty attractive. It has cracks and is dark brown.

As a gardener, the maintenance of a purple leaf plum won't require a lot of your time. These trees need to be watered on a regular basis, especially in the first few months after they have been planted. Even when fully grown, they prefer damp soil. When planting purple leaf plum trees, you may encounter a variety of insect problems.

Plums with a purple leaves can be found in many backyards. They reach a maximum height of 15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 meters) and a width of 15-20 feet (4.6-6 meters).

If you wish to begin planting purple-leaf plum trees, you will need some fundamental knowledge. The initial step is to determine your zone of hardiness. The USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 8 are optimal for the growth of purple leaf plum trees.

Purple Leaf Plum Tree Pros

The only part of this tree that can be eaten by humans or animals is the fruit. The rest of the tree should be avoided. The fruit is little, but its flavor complements a range of baked items perfectly.

These fruits can be prepared in a distinctive manner by placing them in vodka with sugar and letting them steep for two weeks in the jar before eating them. You will make your own flavored vodka. These fruits can be eaten uncooked. If you don't like sour taste, cook them instead of eating them raw.

Canning is a method for preserving fruits so that they can be enjoyed throughout seasons other than summer. Plums can usually be used for up to a year after they have been canned. You have the option of preserving them in fruit juice, syrup, or water in the canning process. You may even consider combining them with some berries to create a special delight.

These plums include polyphenols and other elements recognized for their anti-inflammatory properties. As a result of their anti-inflammatory properties, these plums may help lessen your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Purple Leaf Plum Tree Cons

Purple-leaf plum trees are prone to a variety of illnesses, particularly black knot, leaf disease, dieback, leaf curling, bacterial blight, rot disease, and fire-blight. Beetles, bugs, parasites, aphids, worms, tent caterpillars, Japanese beetles, and spider mites are among the pests that affect them. These dangers may also be a factor in its short lifespan of only about 20 years. Producing an abundance of little fruit, fruit dropping can be a concern. If you are worried about these problems, 'Forest Pansy,' which is an Eastern redbud with dark purple leaves, is a suitable choice for you to consider.