Plums

Renae Moran, University of Maine

Plums are a diverse group of fruits that comprise two major types or species, Prunus domestica, the European plum, and Prunus salciana, the Japanese plum. A third type is a hybrid of the Asian species with American and Canadian plums.  The three types vary in their susceptibility to diseases, but generally have the same insect problems.  Black knot, bacterial leaf spot, brown rot and bacterial canker are the most prevalent diseases in the northeastern United States.  Other diseases of plum include plum leaf spot, plum pockets, phytophthora root rot, and several that are causes by viruses.  Plum curculio and apple maggot are prevalent.  Fruit moths, spotted wing drosophila, plant bugs and trunk borers pose problems, but to a lesser extent in managed orchards.

For additional information on plum production, visit the Plum Production Guide.