Prunus americana
Native to the north central and eastern United States the american plum is the widest distributed plum in America. A thicket-forming shrub or small tree with short trunk, many spreading branches, broad crown, showy large white flowers, and red plums. American plum is a small, understory tree to 35 ft. with fragrant, white flowers in showy, flat-topped clusters occurring before the leaves in spring. The fruit that follows ripens to a shiny, bright red in August or September. This fruit has a sour skin, making it a low priority for wildlife consumption, however if peeled makes an excellent jam for human consumption. While the fruit is not eaten by most wildlife some birds will consume it, however the thorny thicket produced by the spreading behavior is beneficial for nesting and escape cover.
