Purple Gage European Plum

The tree in its 3rd year is now fruiting with a heavy load. The plums are small and a little oblong. The tree is very full and the young branches are drooping low. It is mid-September and the fruit is just entering the period where it can be eaten. So far the plums are bland and unsweet with little flavor. Maybe that will change with more ripening, but I am not yet favorably impressed. The tree as a whole is ugly. The leaves are small, dark green and subject to leaf curl. The tree as a whole looks ugly, definitely no ornamental value. I would not buy it again. This is paired with a Renie Claude Doree plum which is a fantastic tree, but this one is not. The Purple Gage flowers a couple of weeks prior to the Renie Claude Doree so the flowering does not peak at the same time. Clearly there was enough overlap for the Purple Gage to get well pollinated but I'm not sure it was enough for the Ranie Claude Doree to be optimal. My final assessment for Springfield Oregon is that this tree is not worth taking up space. I might rip it out and replace it with a better pollinizer for my Renie Claude Doree.

Really nice sized tree! Lots of branching on ours. I planted immediately and leaves started emerging about 2 weeks later. Looking forward to this tree!