Prune Trees

Prunes are a distinct type of plum. Plums are relatives of the peach, which is the hallmark of the Burchell Nursery legacy. So we’re up on prunes. Of course, the name is thought by some to have a negative connotation, so feel free to call them dried plums if you’d rather. This fruit is sweet and juicy and contains several healthful antioxidants, so it remains a favorite in the market.

Prune Tree Rootstocks

We offer you a choice of 4 varieties of Nectarines on these rootstocks.
Citation, Lovell, Marianna 26-24, Myrobalan 29C, M-40, Nemaguard, Guardian® Brand (BY520-9), Controller 5 (PP#15,228)*, Controller 9 (PP#15,225)*

* Sold under license from the Regents of the University of California. Propagation without a written license is prohibited.

Burchell Nursery provides its customers with the utmost planting flexibility by offering most varieties as Ready Start® Potted Trees. Please consult with your field reps for Healthy Start Trees’ current availability and pricing.

Prune Varieties

  • Improved French

    Large with dark blue skin. It is tender, fine textured with a rich sweet flesh. It is California’s leading prune and is self-fertile.

    Ripens in August

  • Muir Beauty

    A new plum cultivar developed within the University of California Dried Plum/Prune Cultivar Improvement Program for use by the dried fruit industry. It is an excellent dried plum that ripens earlier than both the Sutter and the Improved French. Muir Beauty is the recommended pollinizer for the Tulare Giant.

    Ripens earlier than Sutter and Improved French

  • Stalian

    …

  • Sutter

    (PP#12,398), Sutter prune is designed to extend the season of the French prune (dried plum) by ripening 10 days earlier. It is larger and consistently sweeter than French. Sutter also has some fresh market potential.

    Ripens in July

  • Tulare Giant

    (PP#12,224), Formerly UC Selection 3-6E-13. This new cultivar is best suited for the fresh market. It is large in size, often twice the size of French. It has an early date of maturity, ripening in mid-July in an average year. The fruit is an oval shape, dark purple to almost blue in color, covered by a grayish waxy bloom. Soluble solids content will reach 18 x 19 brix at shipping maturity. The tree is very productive, precocious and a regular bearer. Good pruning and thinning practices must be observed to reduce the fruit load so that acceptable sugar content will develop. Test shipments of this new cultivar to the Pacific Rim have been well-received.

    Ripens mid-July

Ripening dates shown are approximate for Fresno in California and may vary with season and location.