A natural low-growing tree with an open, spreading canopy, Methley offers an attractive and sturdy landscaping tree. It is cold hardy and drought tolerant, it puts out a showy, profuse bloom of white flowers in spring, and it is a reliable cropper that is also resistant to fungal infections such as black knot. Methley is self-fertile, and it makes a great pollenizer for Asian plums, such as Santa Rosa and Shiro.

Methley produces juicy, sweet, red-fleshed fruits with a mild flavor. This early variety (early July in upstate NY, between Early Golden and Shiro) has reddish-purple skin and blood red flesh. This is not a "connoisseur plum," but it is an excellent choice if you want a beautiful, low-maintenance tree with snacks on it.

Methley is a chance seedling that originated in Africa. It is thought to be a hybrid of an American plum and a Japanese plum. It was brought to America in 1922.