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Bruce Plum Tree
Bruce Plum Tree
Bruce Plum Tree
Bruce Plum Tree
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Fruit Tree

Bruce Plum Tree

Will it grow where you live?

Zones 5-9

Size: 4-5 ft
$155
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From our farm to your front door

  • Shipped in its nursery pot, so the roots stay undisturbed
  • Soil secured so it stays put in transit
  • Packed so the plant stays steady on the way to you

At a glance

Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
When the top 2–3" of soil is dry
Growth & size
Moderate growth rate. Reaches approximately 12–15 feet tall and 12–15 feet wide at maturity.
Botanical name
Prunus salicina × angustifolia 'Bruce'
Hardiness
Zones 5-9
Tolerates
Heat tolerantCold hardy
USDA zone map for Bruce Plum Tree

Where it grows in the groundShaded areas are the zones where it can be planted outdoors.

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What customers are saying

Why customers love it

Bruce Plum Tree

Healthy, well-rooted plants

Hand-selected and shipped in its nursery pot.

Bruce Plum Tree

Delivered to your door

Skip the nursery trip. Very little car Tetris required.

Bruce Plum Tree

Real plant experts

Ask us anything before or after planting.

Bruce Plum Tree

1-year guarantee

If something goes wrong, we'll help make it right.

Care made simple

Plant it right once and it does the rest.

Sun
Full Sun

Pick the spot before you dig.

Water
When the top 2–3" of soil is dry

Water slowly and deeply. Check more often in its first summer.

Grows in
Zones 5-9

Enter your ZIP above to check your zone.

Your first year together

  1. 1Day 1

    Plant it, then water slowly until the whole root ball is soaked.

  2. 2First few weeks

    Keep the soil evenly moist while new roots settle in.

  3. 3First summer

    Water deeply during hot, dry spells.

  4. 4Next spring

    New growth starts. Feed as it wakes up.

Planting instructions
Choose a location for your Bruce Plum Tree that receives at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day and has well-draining soil with good air circulation. Avoid low-lying areas where water or cold air tends to collect. Dig a planting hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the root ball itself. Carefully remove the tree from its nursery container and loosen any circling or tightly bound roots. Position the tree so the top of the root ball sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil, keeping the graft union above the soil line. Backfill using only the native soil removed from the planting hole without adding compost, peat moss, sand, rock, or other amendments directly to the hole. Gently firm the soil, water slowly and deeply, and apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone while keeping it several inches away from the trunk. Space Bruce Plum Trees approximately 12–15 feet apart.
Watering & sunlight
Watering needs are never one-size-fits-all. Weather, soil type, drainage, plant size, and planting time all affect how quickly a plant dries out.

Use a slow-running hose, soaker hose, or drip system to water the root ball and surrounding root zone thoroughly. Allow the water to penetrate deeply (not just wet the top few inches of soil), and avoid frequent, shallow watering. Before watering again, check the soil 3–4 inches deep near the root ball. If it feels dry, repeat this deep-watering process. If it feels moist or soggy, wait and check again in 1–2 days. Check the soil of newly planted trees and shrubs several times per week, especially during hot, dry, or windy weather. Irrigation run times will vary based on flow rate, soil, and system setup.

Need help? Contact our plant experts for watering guidance tailored to your plant and growing conditions.

Bruce Plum Trees grow and produce fruit best in full sun with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Plenty of sunlight supports healthy flowering, fruit development, and ripening.
Care guide

PRUNING
Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead, damaged, or crowded branches to keep the tree healthy and allow sunlight and airflow through the canopy. Avoid excessive pruning.

FERTILIZING
Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish. Once established, fertilize in spring if needed with a balanced fertilizer or one formulated for fruit trees. Avoid overfertilizing, which can encourage excessive leafy growth instead of fruit production.

WINTER PROTECTION
Established Bruce Plum Trees generally need little winter protection within their recommended growing zones. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it several inches away from the trunk. Spring flowers can be damaged by a late freeze, which may reduce fruit production for that year.

Shipping & what's inside

Your plant ships in its nursery pot with the soil secured, packed so it stays steady on the way to you.

1-year guarantee

Every plant is covered by our 1-year guarantee. If something goes wrong, contact our team and we'll walk you through it.

Answered by Simply Trees plant experts
How big does a Bruce Plum Tree get?
A Bruce Plum Tree typically reaches approximately 12–15 feet tall and 12–15 feet wide at maturity. Mature size can vary depending on rootstock, climate, soil, pruning, and growing conditions.
How fast does a Bruce Plum Tree grow?
Bruce Plum Trees have a moderate growth rate, typically growing approximately 1–2 feet per year under favorable conditions. Growth varies based on rootstock, sunlight, soil, moisture, climate, and overall tree health.
Where is the best place to plant a Bruce Plum Tree?
Plant your Bruce Plum Tree in full sun with well-draining soil and good air circulation. A location receiving at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day will support the best flowering and fruit production.
How far apart should I plant Bruce Plum Trees?
Space Bruce Plum Trees approximately 12–15 feet apart to provide adequate room for their mature canopies and maintain good sunlight exposure and airflow.
When does a Bruce Plum Tree bloom?
Bruce Plum Trees produce attractive white flowers in spring. Exact bloom timing varies depending on climate and seasonal temperatures.
Does a Bruce Plum Tree need a pollinator?
Yes. Bruce Plum Trees require another compatible plum variety with an overlapping bloom period for reliable fruit production. Planting Bruce alone may result in little or no fruit.
What is a good pollinator for a Bruce Plum Tree?
Methley Plum is an excellent pollination partner for Bruce because their bloom periods can overlap. Other compatible early-blooming plum varieties may also provide cross-pollination
How close should a pollinator be to a Bruce Plum Tree?
For the best results, plant the compatible plum within about 50–100 feet of Bruce. Closer is generally better because bees and other pollinating insects transfer pollen between the trees.
How long does it take a Bruce Plum Tree to produce fruit?
Bruce Plum Trees may begin producing fruit approximately 2–4 years after planting, depending on the tree’s age, rootstock, pollination, climate, and growing conditions.
When are Bruce plums ready to harvest?
Bruce is an early-season plum, typically ripening around June, although harvest timing can shift earlier or later depending on climate and seasonal weather.
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