edenhana

Plum

A classic deciduous NZ backyard fruit tree, planted bare-root in winter and bearing its first proper crop 3-4 years on. Almost no plum variety is reliably self-fertile (Santa Rosa is the well-known exception), so plan for a second, compatible tree of the same type (European or Japanese plums don't cross-pollinate each other) if you want good fruit set. Brown rot, which turns ripening fruit to mush in wet weather, is the main disease to watch for.

Sun
full sun
Water
moderate
Spacing
400cm
Harvest
Ready in about 3-4 years
Difficulty
intermediate
Grows in
Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
Expected yield
15-30kg of fruit per mature tree per season
Cost to grow
~$30 NZD
Grocery value
~$180 NZD
Mature height
5m
Flowering season
Aug, Sep
Attracts wildlife
Bees
Evergreen
No, deciduous
Common diseases
Brown rot, Silver leaf, Bacterial blast
Common pests
Aphids, Leafroller caterpillars, Guava moth (northern regions)

When to plant by region

In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: June-August. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: June-July.

Growing stages

  1. Planting & establishmentBare-root, winter (June-August)

    • Plant bare-root while dormant in winter
    • Almost no variety is reliably self-fertile (Santa Rosa is the exception), so plan for a second, compatible tree of the same type
    • Water while roots establish; this is a moderate-water tree once settled in

  2. Early growthFirst 1-2 years

    • Check for aphids and leafroller caterpillars on new growth
    • Guava moth is a growing risk in northern regions
    • Normal winter leaf drop as a deciduous tree; bare branches over winter aren't a sign of poor health

  3. Flowering & fruitingAugust-September (varies by region)

    • Bees pollinate the blossom; avoid spraying during flowering
    • Bacterial blast can damage blossom and young shoots in cool, wet spring weather
    • Watch ripening fruit for brown rot, which turns it to mush in wet weather

  4. MaturityFirst proper crop 3-4 years after planting

    • Established trees yield 15-30kg of fruit per season
    • Brown rot remains the main disease risk on ripening fruit in wet seasons
    • Silver leaf can infect through pruning wounds; prune in dry weather where possible

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