Contact Us800.325.4180Live Chat Free shipping on orders over $150!
A Note from Stark Bro's on Coronavirus (COVID-19) »
  1. Stark Bro's
  2. Fruit Trees
  3. Plum Trees
  4. Methley Plum
Methley Plum
Methley Plum
tree icon What tree size should I choose?

Methley Plum

41 ReviewsAsk Questions
Starting at
$39.99
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.

125% Survival Guarantee!

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.

Read about how to grow plum trees »

Shipping Information

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.

Tags

We've 'tagged' this item with specific keywords that help you find other products that share features or characteristics with this one. Select a tag below to view all the items that have that particular trait.

Questions & Answers

Powered by TurnTo
Start typing your question and we'll check if it was already asked and answered. Learn More
Browse 15 questions Browse 15 questions and 69 answers
Why did you choose this?
Stark Bro's Store
Wanted a plum tree in orchard
David M on Jan 26, 2021
To pollinate with an existing Plum tree
Bob U on Jan 19, 2021
Wanted a plum tree in orchard
David M on Jan 26, 2021
a good pollinator (?)
Steve on Jan 22, 2021
To pollinate with an existing Plum tree
Bob U on Jan 19, 2021
They just look sooo good!
Floyd W on Jan 17, 2021
good with the santa rosa
ray v on Dec 26, 2020
self pollinator
Dave B on Dec 21, 2020
Self pollinating
Mike on Jul 3, 2020
I am building my backyard orchard.
cereta g on Jun 28, 2020
Wanted a plum tree
Thomas J on Jun 2, 2020
Recommended leadfarmer73 and needed pollinator for new plum tree.also plant recently over arrived in excellent condition.
Mark B on May 21, 2020
I've been told that the Methley Plum is the best all around Plum for this area.
Barry on May 19, 2020
Bought this one because it is self-pollinating and i thought it was funny that it's named after meth.
cassandra g on May 19, 2020
I have other japanese plums, this will be the only standard, one of the group. It will be an interesting tree.
Teresa P on May 17, 2020
Disease resistant and self pollinating
Martha C on May 17, 2020
Recommend by another gardener.
Harold M on May 17, 2020
Highly recommended by a local nursery for quality and large amounts of fruit
Jeff J on May 17, 2020
My plum tree broke off at ground level????
Jane H on May 14, 2020
Use as pollinator for two other Japanese plums, plus eating!
Robert S on May 13, 2020
I need a pollinate for my other tree
Mary F on May 11, 2020
Love the fruit. Have one at our current house. This one is to be planted at the new house we???re building.
John M on Apr 28, 2020
Very tastie and makes good Jam in the fall A * in making it
Joseph R on Apr 26, 2020
Looks to be the best producer.
Jamie F on Apr 25, 2020
Like the cluster of fruit and it was a good rating and least expensive
Rob on Apr 24, 2020
To cross pollinate with my plum tree.
Karen Z on Apr 22, 2020
I wanted a plum
DEBORAH K on Apr 18, 2020
I just love plums. I make plum jam to give away to my family members and they really like it so I???m going to give it a try.
Kathleen S on Apr 2, 2020
I like plums---great jelly
Lee M on Mar 31, 2020
one of the last varieties in stock
Terrance K on Mar 31, 2020
I love plums
FITZROY F on Mar 29, 2020
The description said it was easy to grow and I have never grown plums before so I wanted a simpler tree for my first time.
Rebekah C on Jan 19, 2020
Your description
Betty W on Jan 12, 2020
Replacing one lost to borers. Best tasting plum I ever had. Reliable producer.
Anne H on Dec 28, 2019
My other plum died
DORIS J on Dec 11, 2019
Self pollinating
Anna S on Sep 8, 2019
Self Pollinating and fits into a space in our home orchard. Also the quality of other trees that I ordered from Stark is excellent.
Stephen V on Apr 28, 2019
I have a friend who has s methley plum dwarf tree and it produces very tasty plums
Greta S on Mar 6, 2019
Positive reviews.
WOOJOO S on Feb 6, 2019
Good for my area, to bring in white tail during bow season and into winter.
Kyle P on Nov 5, 2018
They are delicious.
Juan C on Sep 30, 2018
lots of plums nice size tree and self pollinating
KENNETH H on Sep 15, 2018
I wanted a dark flesh plum. Had a very good harvest this year for such a young tree. Fruit was especially sweet and tasted great.
Theresa M on Oct 7, 2017
Hope they do as well here as in Washington state. Should make good jam.
Dot S on Apr 19, 2016
I just needed a plum tree and I prefer the Japanese type over the European because it has much more fruit and is sweeter.
MICHAEL V on Mar 15, 2016
Love plums, especially red flesh. Can wait for the fruit
Sarah L on Mar 15, 2016
My mom had this kind of plum tree and it makes the BEST jam
ANN P on Feb 20, 2016
a good pollinator (?)
Steve on Jan 22, 2021
They just look sooo good!
Floyd W on Jan 17, 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!
Jeremi P on Mar 13, 2020
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!
can I use two of these for pollination or do I need two different types of plum trees?
Michaela B on Dec 16, 2019
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!
I live near Knoxville TN and have been told that I can???t grow plums here. Has any one had any luck here?
Nancy W on Feb 2, 2019
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.
Do Methley plum trees lose their leaves in the winter?
Victor J on Jan 2, 2020
BEST ANSWER: Yes they do. All of mine of lost their leaves this Winter
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?
Janice M on Jun 11, 2020
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!
when will stanley plum be available ?
richard s on Apr 30, 2020
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!

???
how big is this plum tree when it arrives?
RAYMOND M on Apr 17, 2020
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.
Will this tree pollinate the bubblegum plum?
David Z on May 6, 2019
BEST ANSWER: Yes, it will.
Can plum trees be set out in the fall area code 28681 ???
Creel L on Oct 12, 2016
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.
Is the Methley Plum resistant to cotton root rot?
Lee B on May 30, 2016
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.
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.
Jim M on Feb 29, 2016
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.
Is it resistant to root-knot nematode?
Tatsiana F on Oct 20, 2020
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?
Amy P on May 29, 2020
Can this be grown in a container? And will it fruit if you can do?
Maily R on Mar 30, 2020

Customer Reviews

Powered by TurnTo
4.4 / 5.0
41 Reviews
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
29
5
4
1
2
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!
June 5, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
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.
April 30, 2016
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!
June 17, 2016
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.
March 22, 2016
fast growing
I planted this tree last spring and it has already tripled in size. Beautiful tree, I cant' wait until it starts producing.
May 24, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
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...
May 10, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago
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.
March 23, 2016
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.
March 8, 2017
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.
October 21, 2018
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.
May 13, 2016
Purchased
 over 5 years ago

Here are more items we think you'll love!