Plum tree with no fruit - Ask Extension
Hello,
We have a plum tree in our yard that bore a lot of fruit last summer. This is our third summer in our home; I do not recall if it bore fruit ...
Knowledgebase
Plum tree with no fruit #878804
Asked July 25, 2024, 7:30 PM EDT
Hello,
We have a plum tree in our yard that bore a lot of fruit last summer. This is our third summer in our home; I do not recall if it bore fruit the first summer, as I didn’t realize it was a plum tree and we were trying to figure out what was going on around the entire yard. This spring it flowered beautifully and was covered in bees, so I believe should have been able to be pollinated, but there has been no fruit at all on the tree. I do not recall a hard freeze after it flowered, but other than that, what might be other possibilities for why there is no fruit?
I read on the extension site that there should be two compatible trees. I have no idea the specific type of plum tree we have. I cannot see another plum tree in our yard or neighboring yards, but it must have gotten pollinated last year. How close would another plum tree need to be? And is there a list of what generally would be another compatible tree if we needed to plant another to ensure fruit in the future? Our girls loved making plum jelly!
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
The following publication explains why fruit trees sometimes don't bear fruit. However, none of the factors mentioned seem to apply in your circumstances.
https://extension.umaine.edu/fruit/growing-fruit-trees-in-maine/lack-of-fruitfulness/#:~:text=Poor%20pollination%20is%20a%20common,lack%20of%20fruitfulness%20in%20plums.
Some plum varieties are self-fertile and do not need a pollinator. We won't be able to determine whether your plum is one of them, but for the sake of discussion let's suppose it is not.
In that case, the absence of a pollinator might account for the lack of fruit this year. However, why a nearby unknown plum that allowed cross pollination in the past failed to do the job this year is anyone's guess.
According to experts at the University of Minnesota, "hybrid plums require a specific second variety for pollination (see variety charts). For example, in order to get fruit from an Alderman plum, you would have to plant either a Toka or Superior plum as well (or a native American or Canadian plum). European plums and tart cherries are self-compatible."
If the lack of a pollinator accounts for the absence of fruit this year, you may want to plant one to pair with your tree.
Learn more here:
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden
https://extension.umaine.edu/fruit/growing-fruit-trees-in-maine/lack-of-fruitfulness/#:~:text=Poor%20pollination%20is%20a%20common,lack%20of%20fruitfulness%20in%20plums.
Some plum varieties are self-fertile and do not need a pollinator. We won't be able to determine whether your plum is one of them, but for the sake of discussion let's suppose it is not.
In that case, the absence of a pollinator might account for the lack of fruit this year. However, why a nearby unknown plum that allowed cross pollination in the past failed to do the job this year is anyone's guess.
According to experts at the University of Minnesota, "hybrid plums require a specific second variety for pollination (see variety charts). For example, in order to get fruit from an Alderman plum, you would have to plant either a Toka or Superior plum as well (or a native American or Canadian plum). European plums and tart cherries are self-compatible."
If the lack of a pollinator accounts for the absence of fruit this year, you may want to plant one to pair with your tree.
Learn more here:
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden
