The Chickasaw Plum tree, Prunus angustifolia, is a deciduous multi-stemmed shrub or small tree which occurs in thickets, pastures, fields, fencerows, stream banks and disturbed areas. Chickasaw Plum trees are sometimes seen as a small short-trunked tree growing to 25' tall. Beautiful 5-petaled white flowers appear along the stems in March before the foliage emerges. Flowers are followed by small, cherry-like, edible, red to yellow plums which ripen in early to mid summer. Although the plums may be eaten raw, they are somewhat tart and acidic, and are perhaps best used in preserves and jellies.
The toothed, narrow, bright green leaves (1-3" long) appear on branches and twigs that are an attractive reddish-brown and sometimes have thorny lateral branchlets. Native Americans regularly consumed the fruit fresh or dried it for winter. The sweet fruit is eaten by deer, bear, fox and racoon. This flowering tree is a true ornamental.