Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
Can you provide me with your city and state? That way I can see what your average low temperature is for the year. Also, though plums are self fertile, they always do better with a pollinator. Do you have two varieties of plum trees or just this one?

Maple Tree · Gardenality Genius · Zone 10A · 30° to 35° F
Hi Deborah-As Brent asked, your location would help to determine a possible cause for the tree not producing. Since I was also about to comment on your question I'll add a few more questions and some things that might help us to determine the problem. There are a couple of things as to why your Methley plum may not be setting fruit. One is that the tree is not mature enough yet. Its hard to tell its age but many of the plums will take 4 to 6 years to produce fruit. If it had good flowering this year again possibly it will set fruit this year. Besides flowering well does the tree possibly set any fruit that doesn't develop and drops off before matureing? It is always possible it is not actually a Methley Plum. I have found through the years several times where fruit trees, especially sold at the box stores, were mislabled and are actually a variety that needs a pollinator. Without sufficient pollination, they may blossom abundantly but will not bear fruit. Inspect the tree for any signs of insects. Pests such as the plum curculio may have infested the tree and are damaging the flower buds and fruit as it develops. Inspect the tree closely as this insect can blend well with the bark of the tree. The adult weevils emerge every spring normally at the same time the tree is flowering. The curculio adults are about 1/4 inch long and are grey and brown with several bumps on each side of their backs. They also have a short, curved snout. Just inspect the tree closely as these insects according to many extension service articles are showing up more so in many areas.
The Methley plum is an early bloomer and is more susceptible to damage from late frosts than other varieties. The last few years many locations have had unusually late cold spells that can harm flower buds harming the development of fruit.
I haven't grown this plum myself but have read some have found the Methley plum to be self fruitful but a very poor fruit setter without the help of a second tree as a pollinator. Also being an early bloomer many pollinating insects in your location may not yet be active providing enough good pollination.
Let me know if any fruit has ever started to develop but drops off before developing. This could be and indication of insect damage, soil moisture, too little direct sunlight, or other problem. Has the tree ever been fertilized and if so when and what fertilizer was used. Is the tree planted in a area of lawn and if so has the lawn been fertlized? Many times ferilizers containing too much nitrogen can force nice new growth at the expense of flowering and fruit production. If all seems to be well and the tree appears to be healthy planting a second Japanese plum variety as a pollinator may be something you would want to try. If the tree is mature enough to produce fruit and you have had no late frosts this year along with no appearance of insects it could be just a pollination problem.
Let us know what you think about the possibilities as to why your tree is not fruiting that I had mentioned.

Deborah Parson · Gardenality Seed · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
I live in Houston Tx and no there are no other plum trees in the vicinity

Maple Tree · Gardenality Genius · Zone 10A · 30° to 35° F
From what I can find the last frost date this year for your location was Jan 8. Any winter damage to fruit buds would be unlikely. With your mild location the Methley Plum is well suited to your location requiring only 150-250 chilling hours. Houston according to what I can find has approximately 450 chilling hours. The Texas A&M Extension Service notes the Methley Plum as being a recommended variety for your mild location. Although a few varieties are self-fertile Texas A&M recommends planting at least two varieties of plum trees to ensure proper cross-pollination and fruit set. It was also noted it may take 5 to 7 years before a self pollinating tree starts into production. If your tree was planted as a one year seedling this may be why it has taken time to produce. Answering some of the other questions may help with the no fruit producing problem. Fertilization of the tree or possibly lawn or other plants near by could be the problem. Too much nitrogen will force the tree to develop an excess of foliage growth that can delay the development of fruit buds. Holding off any fertilization that may have been done may help with fruit production next year.