374 TREES IN WINTER 



CULTIVATED PLUMS 



NOTE — The Cultivated Plums are either improved forms of originally 

 wild species or have been derived by hybridization from a number of 

 such forms. The types most cultivated in the United States are the 

 American (derived from Prunus americana), the European (derived 

 from Prunus domestica) and the Japanese (derived from Prunus 

 triflora). Although the varieties of a given type differ considerably so 

 that without further study it does not seem desirable to try to offer 

 a detailed winter classification of the cultivated plums, still the general 

 characteristics of the unmixed types are recognizable in winter. 

 Certain varieties, the Gold, the Lombard and the Red June have been 

 chosen for the photographs to illustrate respectively the American, the 

 European and the Japanese types. 



THE AMERICAN PLUM. VARIETY— GOLD 



Prunus americana Marsh. 

 Illustrations on page 375. 



The American cultivated type of Plum has very slender grayish- 

 brown twigs and branches which have a decidedly drooping habit of 

 growth. The bark is brown; on young trunks and branches smooth, 

 shining, with prominent, light-colored, horizontally elongated lenticels 

 (see upper part of bark picture). The habit photograph was taken 

 from a specimen of the native form, grown in the Arnold Aboretum. 

 The American Plum, as growing wild, closely resembles the Canada 

 Plum and by some this latter species is considered merely a variety 

 of the former. The material examined shows smaller twigs than the 

 Canada Plum with buds generally under 4 mm. long. The most northern 

 station has been reported to be along the slopes of Graylock, Mass. 

 In Connecticut it is reported as rare in the southern district, becoming 

 occasional northward. 



THE EUROPEAN PLUM. VARIETY— LOMBARD 



Prunus domestica L. 

 Illustrations on page 376. 



The European Plum has a lighter bark than the other two types 

 without conspicuous horizontal lenticels, with stout, upright, long 

 shoots and an upright habit of growth. 



THE JAPANESE PLUM. VARIETY— RED JUNE 



Prunus triflora Roxbg. 

 Illustrations on page 377. 



The Japanese Plum has a very dark deeply ridged bark without 

 conspicuous lenticels. The long shoots are rather slender and bright 

 colored and stout fruit spurs are numerous. 



