American plum is a large shrub or small tree reaching heights up to 15 feet. It is the most widely distributed wild plum in North America. It’s thorny, suckering growth creates a thicket valuable as nesting, roosting, loafing, and bedding habitat for birds and mammals. The twigs and leaves are highly preferred browse by white-tail deer and the fruit is edible to both wildlife and humans. The small plums are used for making jams and jellies. This shrub is also commonly planted as windbreaks and is tolerate to heat and drought.