Stone fruit pits are best sown in the fall, so they can naturally be stratified by winter. They need the cold to crack open the thick "shell". You cold try cracking th epit, to get to the "nut" on the inside (the viable part). That can be thrown in the fridge for 2 or 3 months. Plum pits tend to be smaller then peaches, so you may not be able to crack them without destroying the embryo. I would wait till the fruit is ripe in the fall, and plant the pits where you want them. Worse comes to worse, if they arent pallitable, you can always graft some more desirerable types..

This is a Pacific or Western plum (Prunus subcordata, Bentham) and it is a native species found growing wild in a relatively limited region east of the Coast Range from southern Oregon to central California. It occurs in greatest abundance in Lake and Klamath counties in Oregon and Modoc and Sierra counties in California. While the greatest concentration of the native thickets in California seems to be in the general vicinity of Mount Shasta, the plum is found in more or less abundance east and south of the Nevada line, especially in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. It has been reported as far south as Yosemite Valley. The plum usually forms thickets of small to large shrubby trees along streams in canyons, on hillsides, or in the open area of pine forest. In other cases the thickets are found on ridges which are thought to be the shore lines of prehistoric lakes. There is a general similarity in the sites on which the plum thrives and spread throughout the region, so much so that one can almost predict the location of the thickets. The largest trees are found in these thickets growing on the deeper, sandy-loam soils in the canyons where water is ample, and the richer bottomlands adjoining the old lake beds. The hardiness of the species and its ability to adapt itself to adverse conditions is typified by the scrubby little thickets found growing out of rock slides at high elevations. An occasional thicket is found, however, where drought or exposure has all but killed out the stand. The region in which the plum is native has an elevation of 1,000 to 5,000 feet, although it has been observed growing in favorable locations in the mountains of the region at elevations as high as 6,000 feet. At these higher elevations the plums are less apt to bear crops and are late in ripening.

I believe the wild plums of the Deep South are called 'Sand Plums'. I love them, too: particularly the way they form those beautiful colonies. TyTy nurseries in Georgia sells them (please google the name: caveats may apply...or bigger nurseries may just be trying to drive them out of business by spreading rumors). Sand plums produce a lot of pollen, and are often used for cross-pollenation in orchards. Loquats, with the irritating and misleading nickname 'Japanese Plum' (real Plums much like ours have been a cherished part of Japanese culture for many centuries), have very large, dark, evergreen leaves. Their blooms occur in late winter. Blooms are pale and greenish, with a wonderful Almond-like fragrance. The fruit ripens late Spring/early Summer, and is delicious. The large seeds are easy to plant.

I just received an order from Gurney's Plants for 2 native plum trees and I was wondering if these were the ones you were discussing? I am tired of spraying things, so thought I would try natives and see if I could go "spray-free"...plus, I heard they have much higher anti-oxidants than their hybrid counter-parts. does this description sound like what you are talking about? Thanks! Michelle Native Plum Tree Winning Flavor, Huge Yields (2 customer reviews) The Native Plum is covered with yellow-red fruit in late summer. You get 2 plants for pollination, but plant more for an attractive screen- 8-10 feet tall, 2- to -3 ft trees. Many of the fruits are native species that grow wild in various parts of the country. They are very adaptable and generally carefree. May are delicious when eaten fresh, others make excellent desserts and wines. Zones: 3-8.