Methley Plum
Starting at
$43.99
Each
Description
This tree looks great year-round. In summer, this variety yields sweet, purple-red plums; in spring, it offers white, fragrant flowers; and in fall and winter, the tree offers structural interest and a great place to hang holiday lights. A heavy bearer, Methley grows clusters of plums all throughout the tree. Disease-resistant to fungal diseases like rust. A superb pollinator for other Japanese plum trees. Heat-tolerant. Clingstone. Originates in South Africa, introduced to America in 1922. Ripens in mid-July. Self-pollinating.
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Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will issue a one-time merchandise credit to your account equaling 125% of the original product purchase price. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | White |
| Fruit Color | Red |
| Fruit Size | Medium |
| Pollination | Self-Pollinating |
| Ripens/Harvest | Mid July |
| Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 7.0 |
| Taste | Juicy And Sweet |
| Texture | Firm |
| Years to Bear | 3 - 6 |
| Zone Range | 5 - 9 |
Zone Compatibility
This Variety's Zone Range
5 - 9
My Hardiness Zone
?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatability range of this variety before ordering.
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
When your tree matures, it will be approximately 18 - 20' tall x 18 - 20' wide.
Recommended Spacing
We recommend spacing these trees 18 - 20' apart to ensure room for growth.
Pollination
This variety is self pollinating.
In many cases, you may still want to plant pollinating partners to increase the size of your crops, but with self-pollinating varieties doing so is optional. You'll get fruit with only one plant!
Tools & Supplies
Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow plum trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Shipping Information
Estimated Delivery Date
This item is currently out of stock.
Arrives when it's time to plant
Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.
Questions & Answers
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Browse 19 questions
Browse 19 questions
and 78 answers
Why did you choose this?
Stark Bro's Store
to make the jam my daughter likes when they start producing
Greg B
on Apr 7, 2021
All you had left in plum trees
Sally M
on Apr 1, 2021
to make the jam my daughter likes when they start producing
Greg B
on Apr 7, 2021
It will cross pollinate another variety of peach i am purchasing.
LeTicia M
on Apr 1, 2021
Hi. I have 2 methley plum trees that have been in planted for about 3 years now. They've gotten about probably about 12 ft tall and they bloom early around Mid-Late February. I fertilize them with MiracleGro fruit tree spikes twice a year as directed. They get TONS of white blooms on them but after they fall off, I never get any fruit. I live in Mississippi. Do you have any advice for me to actually get PLUMS on my plum trees after they flower? I was looking for a pollinator but they're supposed to be self pollinating. Any help would be GREATLY appreicated! Thanks a lot!
BEST ANSWER: Its still too young, unfortunately you have to wait 1-2 years more for the fruit...I had the same problem with my cherry, 4 years in, had only flowers , i did everything by the book, was actually about to cut the tree this spring but then the flowers didn't fall off and i got about 10 lbs of cherries....so patience is the name of the game!
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- Inaccurate
- Dennis Y on Jun 19, 2020
can I use two of these for pollination or do I need two different types of plum trees?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. The Methley Plum is self pollinating.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Tabitha R Expert on Dec 16, 2019
I live near Knoxville TN and have been told that I can???t grow plums here. Has any one had any luck here?
BEST ANSWER: I have the 2 of the round red type (think California Santa Rosa types), 1 tradition oval purple Damson, and this year added 2 oval purple Stanley.
Well the Stanleys of course haven't done anything but the other 3 will set a few plums but something causes them to drop will they are very tiny and the plumbs don't seem to grow hardly at all in size before they drop. The Blue Damson I thought would behave different from the Santa Rosa types but no, it set a decent amount of plums, this year being the 1st it set at all, but then those plums dropped while still tiny like the Santa Rosa types did.
It's a shame because I want to make zwetschgenkuchen and plum spread but won't be able to with no plums.
The trees themselves however grow to be big, strong, and look great but don't ever bear plums that ever get ripe.
I'm convinced it must be some disease that effects plums because my mom also had plums that did the exact same thing and those trees were in her yard 15 years before they were cut down.
I've looked but I've been unable to identify or find any person that can identify what the problem is. I am going to spray them with copper fungicide, dormant oil spray, and neem next year while also fertilizing them early with a high potassium low phosphorus low nitrogen fertilizer late next winter and see if that causes them to bloom better and keep what does manage to set fruit.
Well the Stanleys of course haven't done anything but the other 3 will set a few plums but something causes them to drop will they are very tiny and the plumbs don't seem to grow hardly at all in size before they drop. The Blue Damson I thought would behave different from the Santa Rosa types but no, it set a decent amount of plums, this year being the 1st it set at all, but then those plums dropped while still tiny like the Santa Rosa types did.
It's a shame because I want to make zwetschgenkuchen and plum spread but won't be able to with no plums.
The trees themselves however grow to be big, strong, and look great but don't ever bear plums that ever get ripe.
I'm convinced it must be some disease that effects plums because my mom also had plums that did the exact same thing and those trees were in her yard 15 years before they were cut down.
I've looked but I've been unable to identify or find any person that can identify what the problem is. I am going to spray them with copper fungicide, dormant oil spray, and neem next year while also fertilizing them early with a high potassium low phosphorus low nitrogen fertilizer late next winter and see if that causes them to bloom better and keep what does manage to set fruit.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- John Andrew G on Aug 17, 2020
Do Methley plum trees lose their leaves in the winter?
BEST ANSWER: Yes they do. All of mine of lost their leaves this Winter
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Matthew N on Jan 2, 2020
- Purchased on Jan 8, 2018
How will this tree do in a zone area 10A?
BEST ANSWER: The USDA has hardiness zones for a reason, typically because of the amount of chill hours needed during a dormant season to produce fruit. More than likely it will not ever set fruit as it is to warm where you are planting this variety.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Apr 5, 2021
do these trees develop thorns? My tree is a year old and as it prepares for spring it seems to be growing thorns everywhere.
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. Some Plum varieties do develop thorns.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Mar 9, 2021
My Methley Plum has terrible black knot. I have tried everything I can to treat but I'm thinking I need to remove it. When it first showed up did fungicide and cut off branches but now the entire tree has it this winter. I'm guessing just remove it?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. Yes unfortunately if the fungus can not be controlled with sprays it is best to remove the tree.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
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- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Feb 16, 2021
Methley plum is listed as ripening in Mid-July. I am harvesting now, June 11. I live in Gainesville, GA. Can I expect harvest in Mid -June each year?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. Possibly as everything about the tree is based on environmental factors. In warmer climates the tree is going to bear sooner as it's chill hours are minimal.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Jun 11, 2020
when will stanley plum be available ?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. We do not have a guaranteed ETA on when more will become available. We are very sorry for this inconvenience and completely understand your disappointment. Rest assured, that if you sign up for a notification, you'll be one of the first to be notified when it becomes available again.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us, remember that we're here for you. Have a great day!
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If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us, remember that we're here for you. Have a great day!
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- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on May 4, 2020
how big is this plum tree when it arrives?
BEST ANSWER: When shipped, regular trees are about 3-4' tall and/or with a 3/8" or larger trunk diameter. A Stark?? Supreme Tree is one of the season's top-grade, bare-root trees that gives you a head start on growing. When Supreme trees are shipped, they are about 4-5' tall and/or with a 5/8" or larger trunk diameter.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Apr 20, 2020
Will this tree pollinate the bubblegum plum?
Can plum trees be set out in the fall area code 28681 ???
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question. Methley Plum is suited to Zones 5-9, so it should be fine! Always acclimate your tree a little bit at a time or you could burn the bark or leaves.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- LeAnn Staff on Oct 12, 2016
Is the Methley Plum resistant to cotton root rot?
BEST ANSWER: I'm familiar with root rot, but not "cotton root rot." Not many plants are resistant to root rot, nor are plums. I've had my tree one year and it is doing fine.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- ANDY F on May 31, 2016
- Purchased on Apr 1, 2015
Hello. The Methley Plum is not available in semi-dwarf. How well does this tree tolerate pruning? Might it be possible to prune this tree sufficiently to keep it closer to a semi-dwarf size when mature? Thank you.
BEST ANSWER: I am growing a dwarf Methley plum tree; however, if I don't prune it, it grows bigger than what a well-maintained dwarf tree is (in my mind). Such is the nature of vigorous trees! Methley tolerates my aggressive pruning. You can either plant a Standard tree and keep it pruned somewhat smaller, or plant a Dwarf tree and be a little more lax with your pruning and let it grow taller. It's up to you.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Sarah D Staff on Mar 1, 2016
Do these plums produce in the southeast the Houma LA area?
Is it resistant to root-knot nematode?
I know Methley plums work well as pollinators for pluots, and that Methley plums are self-pollinators but will produce more fruit with another tree. Will a Candy Stripe Pluot (or any pluot) serve to increase the plum tree's yield?
Can this be grown in a container? And will it fruit if you can do?
Customer Reviews
4.4 / 5.0
42 Reviews
Pleasant surprise
My tree arrived looking more like a stick and my family couldn't stop laugjing at my online purchase. I planted ky "stick" and a year later I have a tree with fruit! I don't have a green thumb, but my tree is thriving!
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Planted Fall 2015
I Ordered and Planted 2 Dwarf Size Methley Plum's the Fall of 2015.
The 2 Trees arrived extremely well packed and in excellent condition.
They were fully leafed out upon arrival as I ordered the Supreme potted trees.
During the Fall of 2015, these 2 trees grew like insane due to the mild Fall weather we received in the Ohio Valley.
Spring 2016, these 2 trees were the first out of all of my fruit trees to burst forth with leafs and went back to getting down to growing. They are now taller than me ( I am 6' 1") and spreading out very nicely for only being planted now for about 7 months. I can not wait till Stark Bro.s has more of these plums in stock so that I can place an order for more.
Excellent Tree Growth I have experienced so far.
I know of this type of Plum, as my grandmother had a Methley Plum when I was younger which I would eat right off the tree. I can not wait till my tree's start to produce fruit.
The 2 Trees arrived extremely well packed and in excellent condition.
They were fully leafed out upon arrival as I ordered the Supreme potted trees.
During the Fall of 2015, these 2 trees grew like insane due to the mild Fall weather we received in the Ohio Valley.
Spring 2016, these 2 trees were the first out of all of my fruit trees to burst forth with leafs and went back to getting down to growing. They are now taller than me ( I am 6' 1") and spreading out very nicely for only being planted now for about 7 months. I can not wait till Stark Bro.s has more of these plums in stock so that I can place an order for more.
Excellent Tree Growth I have experienced so far.
I know of this type of Plum, as my grandmother had a Methley Plum when I was younger which I would eat right off the tree. I can not wait till my tree's start to produce fruit.
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April 30, 2016
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Plums out the ying yang
We planted our tree 4 years ago. We almost had plums last year, but a late frost killed the buds. This year, we have plums for days. They are DELICIOUS, sweet and tart. Juicier than clearly other folks who have provided plum jam recipes. My children (12 and 7 yo twins) cannot stop eating them and the jelly!!
Great tree in Charlotte, NC!
Great tree in Charlotte, NC!
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June 17, 2016
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Methly plum SUPREME standard Spring planting.
We saw over 30 inches of growth the first year, and now have over a dozen flower buds. Wet spring, moderate fertilizer.
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March 22, 2016
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very vigorous
My methyl was planted in the same hole as Stanley PrunePlum. I want to slow the vigor but it's taking off like speedy Gonzales. I have to keep pruning it back so that my Stanley can keep up. this year no fruit yet, but hundred and hundred of fruiting spurs... can't wait till next year to really taste a homegrown plum. I love it. Love to see it grow and you can really see it grow...
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fast growing
I planted this tree last spring and it has already tripled in size. Beautiful tree, I cant' wait until it starts producing.
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Great Tree
I purchased a bare root in April 2015. It was a mere 3'-4'. I chose this one as one of my first fruit trees since it's a self pollinator and because the fruit is known to be sweet. This one has out shined my other two fruit trees (a cherry and peach) by far. By the summer of 2016 she was already standing at approximately 14'. I have pruned her based on the instructions Stark Bros has provided using the vase-shape method since it's a Japanese plum tree. She is now approximately 16' tall and has approximately 40 white blooms on her right now. Very happy with how this tree has turned out. I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing fruit on her either this year or next.
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March 8, 2017
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Looking good
It's a little early to tell now, but when I received my dwarf tree it was 31 inches long from the roots to the tip. There was one main root (5 inches long), and several smaller ones coming off of it (2-4 inches). There were 2 branches ( 4 inches), and 8 green buds in total on the tree.
Problems: Minor damage during delivery
The tree's top was jammed into the top of the box, and a one inch section of it had broken off. The wet paper had also shifted, so the roots were a bit dry. Also, one of the roots had been torn. Other than that, the tree looked fine.
Problems: Minor damage during delivery
The tree's top was jammed into the top of the box, and a one inch section of it had broken off. The wet paper had also shifted, so the roots were a bit dry. Also, one of the roots had been torn. Other than that, the tree looked fine.
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March 23, 2016
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Growing out of control and not bearing fruit
Got this in 2015. I specifically ordered dwarf tree because I know how fast and big these trees can grow. The tree is growing healthy. So far, I only found 1 plum on the tree. The issue is that it grows like crazy like beyond 15 feet and requires pruning. It is not a dwarf plant as I expected. It's so tall now I have to pay a landscaper or tree company to come cut it down. It grows fast, but not worth it because of the lack of fruit and cost/effort to prune it.
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October 21, 2018
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Response from Stark Bro's
Thank you for leaving your review. We are very sorry to learn that this tree is rapidly growing. If you need any assistance please contact customer support. One of our amazing agents will be ready to assist you. Your planting success is important to us!
October 30, 2018
Tabitha R
Hearty Tree
I live in Durham NC in Zone 7 and I have had my Methley Plum in the ground for a year and half. It continues to put on growth but suffers from bores and the canker worms (inch worms) hit it pretty hard in the early spring. I have amended the soil and mulched but do not use any pesticides or chemicals of any kind as the goal is to grow organically. The newest leaf growth looks good and is putting on new branches. I am hopeful to see the first flowers next spring.
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