Santa Rosa plum tree was introduced in the early 20th century by the popular plant breeder Luther Burbank. This high-quality fruit cultivar is considered to be one of the best trees to plant in Santa Rosa by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The tree is a favorite for both commercial growers and home gardeners, so it can be found everywhere in the city. More bacteria-resistant varieties of this plum tree can be found, but we always recommend opting for the original one.
Keep reading to find out more about the plum tree Santa Rosa!
Santa Rosa Plum Tree – Important Information
1. Planting Site and Maintenance
In order to thrive, the Santa Rosa plum tree needs to have full sun exposure and well-drained soil throughout the whole year. At maturity, this tree can get up to 15 feet wide, so there needs to be enough space between multiple plantings to accommodate each tree’s mature width and height.
Plum tree Santa Rosa is self-fertile, meaning that it can produce fruit even if there are no other plum trees nearby. However, if a pollinizer is provided, the tree will be able to produce more fruit, more frequently.
Regular watering is very important for this tree – at least once a week, but even more during the dry season. Tree services California recommends soaking the tree in the water while it is still young to help it establish a strong root system.
When it comes to pruning, the tree should be trimmed and pruned at least once a year. This is usually done during winter when the tree is dormant. The main goal is to trim the tree to an open-center shape.
2. Pests and Diseases
Plum tree Santa Rosa is considered to be the gold standard for what plums should taste like by almost every tree service Santa Rosa. However, many commercial growers abandon this cultivar due to its susceptibility to some bacterial diseases and plum leaf scald. Still, almost every plum tree is susceptible to scales, mites, borers, leaf spots, and aphids, and this shouldn’t be the reason not to plant them.
Fertilizing and watering the tree regularly, as well as coming up with a pruning schedule will significantly reduce the risk of these problems. If you notice any symptoms, make sure you contact your local arborist and remove any damaged or dead limbs around the tree.
Related Post: Plum Tree Diseases
3. Harvest
Once your tree is about 3-5 years of age, it will start producing fruit on regular basis. This early-producing variety is covered in white blossoms in early spring and will be ready to harvest in late July. To make sure your plums are ready to pick, just feel whether the skin is a bit gently when squeezed.
Harvesting is not hard since ripe plums pull easily away from the tree with a slight twist. If you’re harvesting for cooking, make sure you pick the plums while they’re still slightly firm and give them some time to continue ripening on a counter.
There’s no need to shy away from the plums that have white spots on their skins. These spots are just naturally occurring yeast that will not affect the fruits in any way. Contrary to that, these white spots are considered a positive indicator that the fruits have not been overly handled when they’re seen at farmer’s markets.
FAQ
Q: How tall does a Santa Rosa plum tree get?
A: This plum tree can grow to about 12 feet at maturity in Santa Rosa. In addition, this tree can get up to 15 feet wide, and this is why it is very important to leave enough space if you have multiple plantings. Also, the crop will increase with another tree planted to it.
Q: What pollinates Santa Rosa plum?
A: Santa Rosa plum is considered to be self-pollinating. However, cross-pollination by bees from other varieties will significantly enhance the fruit set. This is why it is always recommended to plant it in a garden with different fruit and tree varieties in Santa Rosa.
Q: Do I need 2 plum trees to produce fruit?
A: In most cases, you will have 2 plum trees since plum trees are not self-pollinating. However, when it comes to the Santa Rosa variety, you can expect at least some fruit if cross-pollination is not available. Still, we recommend providing cross-pollination for better and healthier fruit.
The Local Tree Experts Overview
Santa Rosa plum tree is a very specific plum variety. It is considered to be among the best ones when it comes to taste, but most commercial growers avoid planting it is, like many other plum trees, susceptible to some diseases. However, with a proper and regular tree, you will have fruit every year for different purposes. Just make sure you hire your local arborist to get some help with maintenance!
