Stanley Prune Fruit Tree

‘Stanley’ is a self-fruitful European prune-plum with white spring blossoms and blue-purple, yellow-fleshed fruit. Its upright to vase-shaped canopy is commonly grafted on dwarf, semi-dwarf, or standard rootstocks, so the mature size depends on the tree’s rootstock. The freestone crop ripens in late summer or early fall and is suited to fresh eating, preserves, canning, and drying. ## Site and harvest Choose a sheltered spot in full sun with moist, organic soil that drains well. Spring frost can injure the blossoms; one tree can set fruit, though a compatible plum nearby can improve yield. Pick the fruit as it reaches full color and flavor, and handle it gently to preserve the smooth blue skin. ## Maintenance Train the tree to a well-lit framework suited to its rootstock. Prune to remove damaged or crossing branches and keep the canopy accessible for harvest. Watch for split-pit, black knot, aphids, and fruit pests; thin a heavy crop if branches are overloaded. [North Carolina Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-domestica-stanley/common-name/stanley-european-plum/) describes the cultivar, pollination, rootstock-dependent size, and uses; [UC Davis Foundation Plant Services](https://fps.ucdavis.edu/treedetails.cfm?v=1441) records its freestone fruit and self-compatibility.