Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Other Names:  Black Ice

Description:

A shrubby fruit tree with showy clusters of white flowers in spring followed by luscious black plums in mid-summer, variable growth habit; this is actually a cross between a cherry-plum and a plum so it's slightly hardier than most plums

Edible Qualities

BlackIce Cherry-Plum is a small tree that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. It produces dark red round fruit (technically 'drupes') with deep purple overtones and red flesh which are usually ready for picking in mid summer. Note that the fruits have hard inedible pits inside which must be removed before eating or processing. The fruits have a sweet taste and a juicy texture.

The fruit are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Cooking
• Baking
• Preserves

Features & Attributes

BlackIce Cherry-Plum is draped in stunning clusters of fragrant white flowers along the branches in early spring before the leaves. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn orange in fall. The fruits are showy dark red drupes with deep purple overtones, which are carried in abundance in mid summer. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

This is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy
• Disease

Aside from its primary use as an edible, BlackIce Cherry-Plum is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

BlackIce Cherry-Plum will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more. This variety requires a different selection of the same species growing nearby in order to set fruit.

This tree is typically grown in a designated area of the yard because of its mature size and spread. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.