UNDERWOOD american hybrid plum SEMI-DWARF (MUSTANG)

🍑 Underwood Plum Tree

🌸 Origin and type

• Species: Hybrid between Prunus americana (American plum tree) and Prunus salicina (Japanese plum tree)
• Origin: University of Minnesota, United States
• Year of introduction: 1921
• Type: Hardy hybrid plum tree with spreading habit

🌳 Tree characteristics

• Habit: Semi-dwarf, slightly spreading
• Mature height: Approximately 5 m (16 ft)
• Hardiness: USDA Zone 3 (very well suited to cold winters)
• Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic to neutral
• Growth: Fast, bears fruit in 3 to 5 years

🍑 Fruit

• Shape: Oblong, slightly pointed
• Size: Medium to large (approximately 4 cm in diameter)
• Skin: Dark red, slightly pruinose
• Flesh: Golden yellow, juicy, sweet, superior quality
• Stone: Semi-adherent (clingstone)
• Harvest: Late July to early August
• Use: Fresh, jams, preserves, pastries
• Storage: 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator

🌼 Flowering and pollination

• Flowering: Mid-May
• Pollination: Self-infertile
• Compatible pollinators:
  • Canadian plum (Prunus nigra)
  • American plum (Prunus americana)
  • Hybrid plum (Prunus × domestica), such as Pembina
• Planting distance: 3 to 4 m (12 to 15 feet) between trees

🛠️ Cultivation and care

• Planting: Fall or early spring
• Watering: Regular, especially in the first few years
• Pruning: Winter pruning to aerate the branches and promote light
• Thinning: Recommended if the tree bears a lot of fruit
• Diseases: Good resistance to common diseases

🍽️ Uses

• Fresh fruit for eating
• Jams, compotes, pastries
• Less suitable for drying or freezing

💡 Advantages

✅ Very hardy, suitable for cold areas
✅ Compact growth habit, ideal for small gardens
✅ Early harvest (end of July)
✅ Excellent taste

⚠️ Points to watch

• Flowering sensitive to late spring frosts
• Fruits are fragile, require careful harvesting
• Prefer a sheltered location to avoid wind damage