VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Prunus americana | American Plum 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
NO-ENTRY


PALATABILITY : 
The degree of use shown by livestock and wildlife species for American
plum in several western states is rated as follows [4]:

                      CO      MT      ND      WY
Cattle               Fair    Fair    Fair    Fair 
Sheep                Fair    Fair    Fair    Fair
Horses               Poor    Poor    Poor    Poor
Pronghorn            ----    ----    Good    Poor
Elk                  Good    ----    ----    Fair
Mule deer            Good    Fair    Good    Good
White-tailed deer    Good    Fair    Good    Good 
Small mammals        ----    Good    Fair    Good
Small nongame birds  ----    Good    ----    Good
Upland game birds    ----    Good    Good    Good
Waterfowl            ----    ----    ----    Poor


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
American plum is rated as fair in energy and protein value [4].


COVER VALUE : 
The degree to which American plum provides environmental protection
during one or more seasons for wildlife species is as follows [4]:

                        CO      MT     ND      WY
Pronghorn              ----    ----   Good    Poor
Elk                    ----    ----   ----    Poor
Mule deer              ----    Fair   Good    Good
White-tailed deer      ----    Good   Good    Good
Small mammals          Fair    Good   ----    Good
Small nongame birds    Fair    Good   ----    Good
Upland game birds      ----    Good   ----    Good
Waterfowl              ----    ----   ----    Poor


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
American plum is utilized for wildlife habitat and soil stabilization
projects in the West [33].  Plummer and others [24] recommend it for use
on wet meadow and mountain brush sites in Utah.  Although seed dormancy
is a problem in almost all species of Prunus, American plum germinates
more consistently following cool, moist stratification at 36 to 41
degrees F (2.2-5 deg C) for 90 to 150 days [10].  Vories [32] reported
that stratified seed should be planted 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) deep in
the spring or fall; for nursery culture, seeds should be sown at the
rate of four seeds per square foot.  Seed viability is estimated to be
approximately 5 years [10].  This species can also be successfully
propagated via stem cuttings.


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
American plum is a commonly cultivated fruit plant thoughout its range.
Fruits are used in making pies, jams, jellies, and desert sauces [34].
A number of horticultural varieties have been derived from this native
plum.  Rootstocks are utilized for the propagation of plums in northern
climates [10].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 

Related categories for Species: Prunus americana | American Plum