Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Opata Cherry Plum - TreeTime.ca

Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Opata Cherry Plum

Malus x adstringens Thunderchild

Prunus besseyi x salicina Opata

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Thunderchild Flowering Crab
Opata Cherry Plum

Thunderchild Flowering Crab is a hybrid crab apple known for its attractive and fragrant dark pink blossoms and deep purple mature leaves.

Tree farmers will find this hybrid appealing as a pollinator for other apples, while home growers will enjoy the red pome's ability to attract flocks of Cedar Waxwings in the early spring.

This species is reportedly resistant to fireblight.

Opata Cherry Plum is considered to be one of the best tasting Cherry Plum varieties. It has a pleasant, sweet flavour and a hint of acidity. They ripen in mid to late August and are well suited to fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

The fruit is closer to a plum than a cherry but is smaller than most plums.The Opata Cherry Plum’s skin is red/green whereas the flesh is yellow-green. The flesh is freestone with a juicy, firm texture. Similar to other stone fruits, it does not store for very long.

The Opata Cherry Plum is a hybrid between a Western Sand Cherry and a Japanese (Chinese) Plum. For fruit production, it needs to be planted with another variety for cross-pollination. Canada Plum and American Plum are considered universal pollinizers.

Thunderchild Flowering Crab Quick Facts

Opata Cherry Plum Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $12.99 - SAVE UP TO 35%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: dark red
Berries: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Fruit size: 3 cm in diameter
Flavor: pleasant and sweet, hint of acidity
Harvest: mid to late August
Flowers: dark pink blossoms
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium




Other Names: opata chum, opata plum cherry