ArborNote’s Tree of the Week is the American Plum (Prunus americana). It is native to North America from Saskatchewan and Idaho south to New Mexico and east to Québec, Maine and Florida. The American plum grows as a large shrub or small tree, reaching up to 15 feet and can survive harsh winters, down to temperatures of -40 degrees but has little tolerance for shade, drought, or fire. The American plum is used for both ornamental and culinary purposes. The white flowers are decorative in spring, and in late summer, the yummy plums develop. Farms use medium to tall shrubs or trees for windbreaks, and highway or riverside plantings. Its high density of growth effectively reduces the wind velocity near the ground. Development of suckers from the root system makes American plum effective in stabilizing stream banks and gullies. The Plains Indians and Cheyenne ate the plums; the latter used the branches for the Sun Dance. The Navajo used the roots to make a red dye!