A plum  is a stone fruit tree in the species. The subspecies is distinguished from other subgenera peaches, cherries, bird cherries, etc in the shoots having a terminal bud and the side buds solitary  Plum fruit is sweet and juicy and it can be eaten fresh or used in jam-making or other recipes. When it flowers in the early spring, a plum tree will be covered in blossom, and in a good year approximately 50% of the flowers will be pollinated and become plums. Flowering starts after 70- 80 growing degree days. If the weather is too dry the plums will not develop past a certain stage, but will fall from the tree while still tiny green buds, and if it is unseasonably wet or if the plums are not harvested as soon as they are ripe, the fruit may develop a fungal condition.