Prunus mexicana
Mexican Plum
Photo by c. Stubler, J. Reimer courtesy of SelecTree
Prunus mexicana, Mexican plum, is a small, rounded deciduous tree. It has red and orange fall foliage, and produces white flowers and edible red plums. It is cold and drought tolerant.
Susceptible to Armillaria.
Good potential utility as an urban tree based on evaluation of 14 trees, healthy crown, 100% survival, moderate growth rate. Herbivory and leaf dieback found on a majority of individuals. Field trial plantings have good vigor, pruning is necessary to develop a central leader. Attractive red, orange, and yellow fall color.
We got poor germination with fresh seed put in 90 day warm stratification then 120 day cold stratification in moist sand in plastic bag in refrigerator. Future trials should have shorter cold stratification (this cold strat was extended beyond the recommended 90 days due to COVID-19 delays.) Seedlings are moderately slow growing.