A wild plum tree, also known by its scientific name Prunus americana, is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree. It is widely distributed throughout North America and is known for its tart and slightly sweet fruit. The tree is also sometimes called the American plum, red plum, or sand hill plum. Other synonyms for this tree include the August plum, chickasaw plum, and thorny plum. The bark of the wild plum tree is typically reddish-brown and rough, with small, sharp spines on the branches. The leaves are oval-shaped, with a serrated edge, and turn a bright yellow in the fall.