The Incredible 4-in-1 Plum Tree: Guide to Growing 4 Varieties on 1 Tree

Full Planting & Care Instructions

4-in-1 Plum Tree s are self-pollinating. You will get fruit with only one plant. However, adding an additional 4-in-1 Plum Tree will drastically increase the size of your crop.

A unique addition to your landscape, the multi graft plum (Prunus sp. ) tree will provide you with loads of multiple varieties of plums with only one tree. It’s small enough to fit in a small yard—only 15 feet wide and 15 feet tall—and the fruit is easier to pick. The tree can grow in zones 5–9 and can handle temperatures as low as -10 degrees. Depending on the type of plum, it needs about 600 chill hours to produce fruit, so most types will do well even in warmer climates. This tree is also interesting all year round; it blooms in early spring, bears fruit in mid to late summer, and has beautiful fall color. Multi graft trees are self fertile so you only need the one tree for fruit!.

Picking a spot: All plum trees need full sun, so make sure you choose a bright area for the tree to live in. Well draining, sandy soil is highly recommended with a pH range from 5. 5 to 6. 5 (which can be easily determined with an inexpensive soil testing kit from your local nursery/big box store). Put the tree in a south or west facing spot if you can. This will help block the wind and help the tree produce fruit.

Here are the steps for planting: 1) Dig a hole that is three times as wide as the root ball and the same depth. 2) Gently comb the root ball freeing up any compacted roots and place the tree. 3) Cover part of the hole with dirt from the back, pressing down gently as you go. Water the soil to make it settle. 4) Once the hole is full, put a layer of organic mulch around the tree to keep water from running off. Do not let the mulch touch the trunk of the tree as this can promote rot and fungus.

Watering: Give your tree a lot of water once a week or twice a week for the first few weeks of growth. When you water a tree deeply, the roots grow deeper into the ground. This makes the tree more resistant to drought. A deep watering with a little more than two gallons of water is good for young trees. Each watering for adult trees will need about eight gallons. If the edges of the leaves look like they’re dying or turning brown, the tree isn’t getting enough water. If there is too much water, the bark at the base of the trunk will turn from light brown to dark brown (or almost black).

Pruning: Give your tree a full year to get situated in its new home before attempting to prune. It is best to prune young plum trees in late winter or early spring, before the buds start to break. This will cut back on the possibility of “silver leaf disease” attacking the tree. More established plum trees will benefit from a midsummer pruning. Pruning isn’t very difficult but a necessity to “cut back” on broken limbs from heavy fruit production. Take off about 20% of the previous year’s growth with cuts at a 45 degree angle. Use a clean cutting tool (rubbing alcohol works great), and leave a lot of space between the strong, upright branches so that light can get through.

When you fertilize your plum tree, there are a few steps you need to take to make sure it has a healthy growing season. For trees that are three years old or younger, applying about a half cup of balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer twice, once in mid-April and again in early June, will help them grow. More established plum trees will require one annual application of the same balanced formula mid-April. Use 8 ounces for every year of the tree’s age. Because fertilizer can burn the roots of young trees, don’t use chemicals to make your soil more fertile. Instead, add compost to it.

Plum trees that are fertilized properly should grow about 1 foot to 18 inches per year. Symptoms of over fertilizing can include leaf scorching and excessive growth. If you’re noticing these issues then reduce the amount of fertilizer for the following year. After you use fertilizer, make sure to water deeply, and keep the fertilizer away from the tree’s trunk.

Harvesting: The best tasting plums are left on the tree to fully ripen before picking. Apply gentle pressure with your fingers to determine ripeness. Soft skin on the fruit means it’s ready to be picked. They should easily come off of the tree when ripened using a slight twist. Plums are best kept in the fridge as they unfortunately do not store for very long. If kept in the fridge, they may last a bit longer, closer to around 2-4 weeks.

*Tip: Birds can be attracted to the developing plums. Consider utilizing a “bird net” to preserve your plum fruit.

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, youll receive an email with a tracking number.

Four Different Plums On a Single Tree

There are many beautiful types of plum trees that produce delicious fruit. And if you only have space for just one, well, the decision is a tough one. So, to make your selection easier, we decided to take four varieties from the best cultivars available.

We can’t promise you which kind of plums this tree will give you, but you will get four kinds of delicious home-grown fruit to enjoy for years to come.

Early in the spring, the 4-in-1 Plum tree bursts with color, showing off pale pink and/or white flowers that are fragrant and beautiful against a background of bright green leaves. Depending on where you live, these four cultivars bloom at different times, so you’ll have beautiful flowers for weeks on end. This tree is a show-stopper for sure. The 4-in-1 Plum grows to be only 15 to 20 feet tall and has a similar spread. It fits well into almost any landscaping design, and your harvest will be easy with a tree this size. Though this magnificent tree is self-fertile, youll want to plant more than one for the aesthetic value alone. Hardy in zones 5-9, the 4-in-1 Plum is low-maintenance, requiring very little care. This beautiful little plant grows quickly and does well in both partial and full sun. It is also resistant to disease and can handle dry, hot conditions. It certainly doesnt hurt that it has terrific autumn color too!.

Our staff at the nursery is trained to prune these 4-in-1 Plum trees in a special way so that you get the best fruit trees possible. This versatile beauty is a veritable must-have for your backyard fruit orchard. Order yours today, while supplies last.

4in1 plum tree from Home Depot