Plum, Cherry, and Peach Trees (Prunus)

Prunus is a diverse genus in the rose family that includes trees and shrubs grown for fruit, nuts, timber and ornamental value. It includes plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots and almonds, with species that vary widely in size, foliage persistence, flowering and fruiting season. [Kew Plants of the World Online genus profile](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30003057-2/general-information) [North Carolina Extension genus overview](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus/common-name/plum/). ## Garden Use This broad group covers orchard trees, flowering ornamentals and shrubs suited to different landscape roles. Choose a plant by its species or named selection, mature size, chill needs, pollination requirements and local climate. ## Growing Conditions Light, soil, water and hardiness vary among Prunus species and cultivars. Match the specific plant to the site rather than applying one care schedule to the whole genus. ## Maintenance Pruning, fruit thinning, pollination and cleanup needs depend on the selected plant. Follow guidance for the individual species or cultivar and inspect trees regularly for disease or pest problems. ## Nevada firescaping source [University of Nevada, Reno](https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=2111) lists Prunus species twice in its 2014 Firescaping examples: bush cherries in the shrub group and plums or cherries in the tree group. This genus profile covers those two source contexts; the listing does not establish that every Prunus species, growth form or cultivar was individually assessed. Choose a suitable bush cherry for the shrub context or a suitable plum or cherry tree for the tree context. Follow the source's Lean, Clean and Green guidance, watering, spacing and dead-material removal; no plant is fireproof. ## Montana fire-resistant source [Montana State University Extension](https://extension-store.montana.edu/montguides/fire-resistant-plants-for-montana-landscapes) lists this genus. The guide notes that not all listed species grow throughout Montana and that some observations concern individual cultivars. A genus entry does not independently assess every species or selection; check local suitability, spacing and maintenance. ## Napa County Firewise source [Napa County](https://www.napacounty.gov/3373/Defensible-Space-Firewise-Planting) lists stone fruits (*Prunus* spp.) among suggested Firewise plants. This genus-level entry reflects the source's broad listing; it does not establish that every species or cultivar was individually assessed. The county emphasizes site selection and maintenance, and no plant is fireproof. ## Queensland bushfire guidance [Queensland's guidance](https://www.qra.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-12/0576_qra_bushfire_guideline_v10_pages_print.pdf) lists trees from the genus Prunus, including ornamental cherries, plums and peaches. This broad listing does not establish that each species or cultivar was individually assessed; check the source's scope, local suitability and fire resistance. ## Nevada UNR High Fire Hazard Areas compilation The [UNR compilation](https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=4762) includes this genus in the following source context: Shrubs: Plum, cherry, Sunset climate zones 1a,2a,2b,10; Trees: Plum, cherry, Sunset climate zones 1a,2a,2b,10. It reports earlier publications and explicitly does not independently assert that listed plants are less flammable. This genus-level association does not establish individual assessment of every species or cultivar. The source repeats the plum/cherry group in shrub and tree contexts; choose the appropriate growth form for each. Its climate zones are Sunset zones, not USDA hardiness ratings. Check local suitability, watering, spacing, removal of dead material and defensible-space requirements; no plant is fireproof. ## Inland West — source row reconciliation PDF page 20 (printed 18), Trees: “Prunus spp” / “cherry, prune, plum”. Scoped representative of the printed genus or group under Trees; the source does not name or individually assess every species, hybrid or cultivar. ## Inland West — 2005 source scope and care The [University of Idaho Station Bulletin 67, January 2005](https://www.uwyo.edu/barnbackyard/_files/documents/resources/mullenfire/protectinghomeswildfire.pdf) includes this taxon in its plant suggestions. The publication says the list is not exhaustive and no plant is fireproof; pruning, watering, plant condition and landscape arrangement matter more than selection alone. Choose for slope, aspect, hardiness and rainfall, and keep this association separate from numerical Idaho BLM scores and other regional ratings. Its landscape guidance describes a treated landscape extending at least 100 feet from the home, with greater distances on steep or windy sites. Separate tree crowns by 10–15 feet; keep foundation plantings low, well watered and free of dead material, eliminate ladder fuels and use separated planting groups with nonflammable breaks. Maintain irrigation, trim turf and remove dry debris. The same species can behave differently with water stress or accumulated dead growth; verify current local guidance and suitability. For tree forms, the guide describes removing dead branches and raising the base of the live crown 6–15 feet above ground while retaining live branches over at least 50 percent of the tree's height; apply this in the context of mature size and local guidance, rather than stripping a small tree. ## Yavapai County — two qualified partial genus contexts The [March 2025 Yavapai County list](https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/2025-03/FirewisePlants3-14-2025.pdf), page 2, prints two different rows with the botanical cell Prunus sp. They are retained separately at the printed genus rank; neither identifies a species or cultivar or establishes an assessment of the whole genus. The Pear (ornamental) row is coded T (tree). Its common label suggests the distinct genus Pyrus, but the scientific cell explicitly prints Prunus. This documentary genus context preserves that conflict without deciding the compiler meant either a particular Prunus or an ornamental pear such as Pyrus calleryana. No named tree, biological match, source intent, leaf trait or authenticated plant material has been established. The Purple leaf plum row is coded S (shrub). This is an unnamed Prunus shrub-form context only; the particular species, purple-leaved selection and material remain unidentified. It does not rate every Prunus shrub, rate tree forms under that row, establish a purple-leaf trait for the genus, or identify the named tree selection P. cerasifera 'Pissardii'. The tree and shrub rows are distinct partial contexts, not an all-members assignment. Yavapai's fire-resistant list requires irrigation and frequent maintenance, appropriate placement and spacing, and removal of dead material. All plants can burn if poorly maintained. Preserve those conditions and confirm the actual species, selection, mature form and local suitability before specification. Other regional Prunus associations remain separate.