I've gotten some questions about our sand plum tree.
HERE is a previous post where I talked about the process of making jelly from it.
Sand plums are native to the mid-south and the southeastern parts of the United States. When I was growing up in East Texas, my dad and I would visit a large sand plum thicket every summer and take the plums to my grandma to make jelly with. We were heartbroken when one year we found that field freshly bush-hogged and a for sale sign up. The trees were gone. So when we were looking at houses 9 years ago, I was delighted to find one that already had a couple of mature sand plum trees growing on the property. Visions of sand plum jelly danced in my head as we signed the papers to purchase.
These trees are native to our area. As with most natives, they require very little attention. We've never had any disease or insect issues. Even Japanese beetles ignore them for the most part. They can grow in almost any type of soil and once established, do not require watering. That's my kind of tree!
HERE is a great source of additional information about these trees. I found some for sale
HERE, but I haven't done business with them.
 |
| Sand plum tree budding out (early March 2011) |
 |
| Sand plum tree blooming (late March 2011) |
 |
| Sand plum tree blooming (late March 2011) |
The tree puts on a show of white flowers in March and then litters the yard with white confetti in April. The local bees seem to really appreciate the blossoms.
 |
| Green sand plums (May 2010) |
 |
| Sand plum tree (May 2010) |
By May, the fruits of the bee's labor start to show up.
 |
| Ripe sand plums (August 2010) |
 |
| Sand plum tree (August 2010) |
In August, the fruits start to redden up. When they are a deep, dark red they are ready. To harvest, I generally shake the tree vigorously and the ripe fruit fall to the ground where I pick them up. The unripe fruit stay on the tree for the most part. They don't get super sweet, but have great flavor when combined with the sugar in the jelly.
Posts
