Mostly in Vancouver, the plums we see are ornamental Prunus cerasifera cultivars, particularly the purple-leaved ones. I also notice a few of these green-leaved Prunus cerasifera, either deliberately planted, or as rootstock for the ornamental cultivars. Here is one such, growing outside a retaining wall on Comox at Bute. This is the first time that I have noticed spines on what I know is a plum tree. You can just see the purple-leaved tree in the background at the top. Two blocks away is what I assume to be a street tree planting of what I think is Prunus salicina. If it is not that, I would appreciate knowing what it is and what distinguishes it.
