California's leading dried plum variety, French Improved is a dark red-to-purplish fruit with tender, dark amber flesh. Medium-sized and egg-shaped, this fine-textured prune has a rich, sweet flavor. French Improved ripens in the 2nd to 3rd week of August and dries with an average 3:1 drying ratio. The vigorous tree has an upright growth habit. 800 chilling hours required.