Autumn 2024Order now for delivery from week commencing 25th November for pot grown trees or December for bare-root or mixed tree orders.
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Seneca plum trees

Prunus domestica
Seneca plums
Check pollinators >
Seneca is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 3

Although relatively unknown in the UK, Seneca is widely considered one of the best plums developed by the New York Agricultural Experiment Station - for eating fresh it is superb, with a strong sweet plum flavour. The fruit size is very large by the standards of European plums.

Seneca is a useful choice if you are looking for a late-season dessert plum, it ripens in early September.

The stone falls cleanly away from the flesh (freestone).

 

Seneca plum trees for sale

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree Wavit rootstock £40.95
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Please try next season
  • BR21-year bare-root tree St. Julien rootstock £38.75
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Please try next season
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Call us on 01759 392007 or fill in our contact form.

Delivery charges

Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.

Growing and Training

Seneca bruises very easily and is therefore not suitable as a commercial variety - but perfect for the home orchard.

The fruit ripens from the start of September in northern states. A useful feature of Seneca is that not all the plums ripen at once and picking can take place over a period of about 2 weeks, meaning you don't have to deal with a sudden glut.

The tree is vigorous and fairly productive.

History

Seneca is a European plum and is a cross between the Italian Prune and Prinlew. It was developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, USA. The first tree was raised in 1937, and test plantings began in 1949. It was eventually named in 1972, having been known as NY981 since the 1950s. The name reflects the Seneca people who are native of this part of North America.


Seneca characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesWarm climates

Using

  • Picking seasonLate
  • CroppingGood
  • Keeping (of fruit)1-3 days
  • Food usesEating fresh

Problems

  • Disease resistanceAverage

Identification

  • Country of originUnited States
  • Period of origin1950 - 1999
  • Blossom colourWhite
  • Fruit colourRed

British-grown trees Trees grown in the UK.

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In addition, all our trees are certified under the Plant Healthy scheme, supervised by the Plant Health Alliance. Other stakeholders include Defra and the RHS. The scheme aims to improve UK biosecurity by setting standards for all growers and retailers involved in selling plants in the UK. Find out more
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Guaranteed fruit trees

When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden whilst it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund - subject to some conditions. Find out more.

This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2024.