Schubert Chokecherry vs Opata Cherry Plum - TreeTime.ca

Schubert Chokecherry vs Opata Cherry Plum

Prunus virginiana Schubert

Prunus besseyi x salicina Opata

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Schubert Chokecherry
Opata Cherry Plum

Schubert Chokecherry is similar to a western chokecherry but features beautiful purple-red leaves throughout the summer.

This small, flowering tree is perfectly suited as an ornamental for city yards.

The fruit from this tree is a staff favourite for jams, jellies, and wines.

Note: This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Schubert Chokecherry seeds at SeedTime.ca.

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.

Schubert Chokecherry Quick Facts

Opata Cherry Plum Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 7 m (23 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: edible dark red berries, 10mm diameter, pitted, tart, good
Fruit size: 3 cm in diameter
Flavor: pleasant and sweet, hint of acidity
Harvest: mid to late August
Flowers: white
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium



Toxicity: Toxic to animals with segmented stomachs (horses, cattle, deer moose, etc.)

Other Names: opata chum, opata plum cherry