The Heat And Drought-Tolerant Fruit Tree That Will Grow In Full Sun

Fruit trees are a great way to add color and life to your yard while also growing yourself a delicious snack. Some fruit trees can be finicky and difficult to grow, but that isn't always the case. American plums (Prunus americana) are heat and drought tolerant, making them a useful tree to easily improve your landscape while also saving money on your water bill.

Arguably, the most difficult thing about growing American plums is how aggressively they grow and sucker. With a bit of pruning and training, however, they can be beautiful trees that provide you with delicate blooms in the spring and fruit in the summer. With a height of only 10 to 20 feet, you don't have to worry about the fruit being too difficult to reach or the tree shading too much of your yard, either. But you will have to be mindful of the American plum's thorns. Of course, those thorns could also be a benefit if you're growing a living fence of American plum trees to improve and upgrade your home security. 

Hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, American plums thrive across much of the United States thanks to their tolerance of a wide range of conditions. In addition to being heat and drought tolerant, they can handle salt spray and thrive in both full and part sun. While they don't grow well in overly alkaline soil, they can handle neutral and acidic soils without a problem and can make themselves at home in everything from sandy to clay-heavy soil. Despite their impressive drought tolerance, American plums can also handle wet and poorly draining soil.

You won't be the only one who will enjoy your American plum tree — they're also a hit with pollinators and songbirds. Even better, they're host plants for the larvae of multiple species of North American butterflies. Of course, their wildlife-attracting ways aren't all positive, and they, like many fruit trees, are also prone to attracting deer to your property.