Plum (European)
Stanley Pollination Guide
Stanley is self-fertile — a single tree will produce fruit without a pollination partner.
You don't need a second tree to get fruit from Stanley. It can pollinate itself. That said, having a compatible variety nearby can sometimes improve fruit set and yield through cross-pollination.
Stanley Quick Facts
Chill Hours
800 hours
Hardiness Zones
5, 6, 7, 8
Harvest
September
Pollination Note
European plum — cannot be pollinated by Japanese plums (Santa Rosa, Methley)
Planning Your Orchard
Stanley is self-fertile and will produce fruit as a single tree. For best results, ensure good pollinator habitat by planting bee-friendly flowers nearby and avoiding pesticide use during bloom.
Keep a record of every tree you plant — variety, rootstock, location.
Start your free tree log →Pollination Partners
Stanley is self-fertile and doesn't need a pollination partner. A single tree will produce fruit on its own.
Can I Grow Stanley?
Check if your climate has enough chill hours for Stanley. Enter your zip code for an instant answer.
Check your zip code →Interactive Pollination Checker
Compare pollination compatibility across all 60+ fruit tree varieties in our database.
Open checker →Most people forget within a year.
Which pairs fruited well, what bloomed when, what you did each season — write it down from the start.
Free for up to 30 plants. No card needed.
About Stanley
Stanley is the classic prune plum — freestone, blue-skinned, and perfect for drying, canning, or fresh eating. It's the standard European plum for home orchards.
Growing Challenges
Susceptible to black knot fungus (prune out infected branches immediately); needs thinning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close does a pollinator need to be to Stanley?
For reliable pollination, plant the partner variety within 50–100 feet of Stanley. Bees are the primary pollinators and typically work within this range. In practice, a tree in your yard or even a neighbor's nearby tree can work. The closer the trees, the more consistent the fruit set.
Can I grow just one Stanley tree?
Yes! Stanley is self-fertile and will produce fruit as a single tree. You don't need a second tree, though having one nearby can sometimes improve yield.
Related Tools
Pollination Checker
Interactive tool to find compatible pollination partners for any fruit tree.
Can I Grow Stanley?
Check if your zip code has enough chill hours for this variety.
Chill Hour Checker
Validate chill hours for any fruit tree variety by zip code.
Frost Date Finder
Find your first and last frost dates to plan bloom protection.
Pollination data compiled from university extension services, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) pollination group charts, RosBREED cherry S-allele research, and nursery compatibility guides. Pollination compatibility can vary by region and microclimate. For best results, consult your local extension office.