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When to Prune a Plum Tree Young plums are generally pruned in early spring, before bud break, in order to avoid infection by silver leaf disease. Begin pruning immediately when you plant a young tree to ensure a proper shape. Established fruit tree plums are best pruned in midsummer.
What time of year do you prune plum trees?
When to prune plums Avoid pruning plums in winter, as it increases the risk of infection by silver leaf disease to which plums and other Prunus species are prone. The best time for pruning is usually spring for young trees and mid-summer for established ones.
Should plum trees be pruned every year?
Pruning established plum trees Prune every year in early spring (April), before bud break. Remove any suckers growing from the rootstock. Rub out any buds growing on the lower trunk. Cut out any dead, damaged or diseased wood, and dispose of it as appropriate, removing it from the garden.
How much can you prune a plum tree?
Cut off one half to one third of one-year-old shoots from the previous season to avoid overproduction of fruit. Head back scaffold limbs and upright limbs to a manageable height. Non-dwarf plum trees can grow twenty to thirty feet tall, so cut back tree height so you can pick plums.
How do you prune an overgrown plum tree?
The basic principles are: If significant pruning is required spread it over two or three years. Remove dead, damaged and diseased branches (the three Ds) first. Prune away any crossing branches. Thin out the centre of the tree. When pruning at this stage, try to maintain the “balance” of the tree.
Can you over prune a plum tree?
If your plum tree is unproductive or is only producing fruit every two years (known as biennial bearing), the cause may be lack of moisture at the roots, or a late frost affecting the flowers in spring. Heavy pruning can also affect cropping, as fruits are produced on one- or two-year-old shoots.
How do you prune a plum tree in the spring?
Plum trees are best pruned in a vase format to get a short trunk with three or four major branches to come off of the trunk at a 45-degree angle. This allows plenty of light and air into the tree. Always use sterilized and sharp pruning shears when you trim.
How do you prune a Santa Rosa plum tree?
How to Trim a Dwarf Santa Rosa Plum Tree Cut the tree back immediately after planting. Allow the tree to grow for the summer before choosing three or four branches to become permanent scaffolds, or the primary sideways branches of the tree. Wait to prune the tree again until late in the winter after planting.
How do you take care of a plum tree?
How to Care for Plum Trees. Be sure to water the young trees heavily every week during the first growing season to help promote growth. Then, water regularly. It’s best to water the plant deeply at the soil line, then let the soil dry out (though not completely) and water again.
How tall should a plum tree be?
Most plum trees will reach 16 feet (5 m.) at maturity or 14 feet (4 m.) if they are a dwarf variety. If you live in a more northerly climate, you may consider planting your plum tree in a location where it will have protection from cold winds, as they are prone to late frost damage.
How long does plum tree live?
Plum | 10-25 years*Jun 22, 2018.
What diseases do plum trees get?
The most common plum tree diseases include black knot, plum pocket, brown rot, plum pox virus, perennial canker, and bacterial leaf spot.
How do you look after Victoria plum trees?
The site should get full sun but it should also be sheltered from wind and weather. This will keep high winds and late frosts from damaging the crop. Growing Victoria plums is far easier if you start with excellent soil. Make sure it is well-worked and add in organic compost before you plant.
Do plums grow on new or old wood?
But remember, plums fruit on young wood. Avoid removing branches that are less than three years old unless you have to. Choose a point just above a bud.
What happens if you prune a fruit tree too much?
When to Prune Fruit Trees Spring Pruning – Pruning out too many branches in early spring may cause excessive loss of sap and can lower fruit yields. Summer Pruning – This removes leaves (which provide “food” for the tree), slows fruit ripening, and exposes fruit to sunburn.
Can you prune a fruit tree too much?
A fruit tree that’s been neglected requires pruning. Otherwise, its branches aren’t shaped for healthy growth or easy picking. If you’re seeking to reduce height, do so over a period of three years to avoid too much pruning in one season.
How do you reduce the height of a tree?
There are recommended arboricultural techniques to reduce the height or spread of a tree. Known as crown reduction, branches can be removed back to their point of origin or cut back to a lateral that is large enough to assume the terminal role.
How do you revive a dying plum tree?
To revive a dying plum tree, remove pests with chemical or organic sprays or kill them with insecticidal soap and water. Also, remove fungi-affected fruits and branches and spray them with fungicides. Lastly, adjust the watering schedule, fertilize, and use well-draining soil.
