Prunus domestica Reine Claude Dorée - Organic Common plum

The 'Reine Claude Dorée' Organic Plum Tree is a variety that has been introduced in the southwest for a very long time. Easy to grow, it is renowned for the flavour of its large round plums. Its fruits ripen around mid-August, they are round and measure 4cm (2in) in diameter. They have a thin, greenish-yellow skin, with a golden face on the side where the plum receives the sun. The flesh, pale yellow, is juicy, sweet, and aromatic: it is of excellent taste quality. It can be consumed fresh or transformed into jam, preserved in syrup, pies... A very good pollinator variety, 'Reine-Claude Dorée' is not self-fertile and requires the presence of another plum tree to fruit satisfactorily.

Plant from Organic Agriculture. 

The original area of plum trees is believed to be Syria, not China. During the time of Roman hegemony in the region, various local fruits including the plum were introduced to Rome. The 'Reine Claude Dorée' Plum Tree, or 'Reine Claude Verte' according to synonymous appellations, has been cultivated in France since at least the 16th century, and was named in honor of Claude de France, wife of François I, nicknamed "La bonne Reine".

This fruit tree naturally reaches up to 8m (26ft) in height at maturity. Its free and spreading silhouette is appreciated. Properly pruned, it will be easy to harvest. It requires little care and maintenance thanks to its naturally open habit. It enjoys full sun or partial shade and grows in any type of rich, moist, deep soil, even heavy, but without limestone. 
Its leaves are oval, almost oblong, serrate-dentate, and slightly pubescent. Flowering occurs in April for this semi-late variety. The tree is then covered entirely with white flowers that appear on the previous year's branches. They are not self-fertile. Therefore, it is necessary to plant another plum tree nearby: the varieties 'Reine Claude d'Oullins' or 'Mirabelle de Nancy' are particularly well suited. The plums are round and globular, 4cm (2in) in diameter, with a thin skin, green tinged with golden yellow in the sun. The flesh, pale yellow, is juicy and sweet.

Designed for organic cultivation, the cultivation of the 'Reine Claude Dorée' Organic Plum Tree will achieve better development under certain conditions. To avoid diseases and pests, it will be necessary to:
- choose a deep, light, rich, and well-draining soil,
- avoid planting on a site that has hosted other woody plants,
- prune to promote tree ventilation,
- thin to prevent diseases on the fruits,
- apply compost in limited quantities in autumn, depending on the fertility of your soil, and mulch around the base,
- install multi-species hedges (except prunus), piles of stones and wood, and nesting boxes (birds, voles, and bats) to attract beneficial insects.

In case of disease occurrence, removing and burning affected parts will be necessary. Slightly sensitive to fruit splitting before ripening but without monilia, the 'Reine Claude Dorée' Organic Plum Tree is a tolerant variety to Bark-Split (Bark fissure disease) and withstands handling and transportation well. It is well suited for organic cultivation.

Plums are consumed fresh at the base of the tree, in fruit salads, but also in desserts, pastries, as accompaniments to meats and dishes. They are transformed into jams, of course, but also preserved in syrup, and compotes... They are also used to make eau-de-vie.

For transportation reasons, our tallest scions may be pruned before shipment. They are suitable for all common training sizes: cordons, espaliers, goblets, half-standards, and low standards, except for high standards. If you would like more information or advice on the training of your fruit trees, do not hesitate to contact us.