Basically, neglected trees will be smaller and bear less fruit than a pruned plum tree, but here are four main reasons to prune a plum tree: To create a manageable shape that is open to sunlight penetration and air circulation.
What happens if you don’t prune a plum tree?
When plum trees are not carefully pruned, they can easily become heavy and break under their fruit load. Developing a strong foundation is essential to the life of any fruit tree. In addition, keeping fruit trees well pruned protects against both disease and pest infestations.
What happens if I don’t prune my fruit trees?
Your fruit tree should be pruned every year for it to produce and perform at its best. If you don’t prune your fruit tree, you’re leaving it susceptible to disease and over-fruiting, which damages the tree’s health and reduces the quality of fruit. You don’t want that!
Should you prune a plum tree?
Plum trees do not require as precise pruning as apples and pears, but still benefit from initial training and the thinning of old wood to ensure they produce as much fruit as possible. Plums are pruned in early spring or mid-summer to avoid infection by silver leaf disease.
What is the best month to prune a plum tree?
Prune when the buds are just bursting, or when the tree is just beginning to flower. Established plum trees that are more than three years old can be pruned in summer, from mid-June onwards. Again, the aim is to keep the tree a manageable size and shape, while allowing the fruit to ripen.
Can you cut the top off a plum tree?
A mature tree that hasn’t been pruned needs help to become a good fruit producer, but whacking off the top is not the optimal solution. If pruning old plum trees this way doesn’t kill them, it will assuredly produce unattractive and unproductive new growth.
How long do plum trees live?
Plum | 10-25 years*
Is September too late to prune a plum tree?
‘Fruit trees, known as stone fruit, such as plums and cherries should be pruned after flowering in the spring when the sap is rising and not after September.
Do fruit trees need to be pruned every year?
Annual pruning (the right way) is so important for the health of your fruit trees. It can lead to a long, healthy and productive life for your trees and will increase the yield and quality of your fruit.
When should you not prune fruit trees?
Just don’t prune your trees when the temperature falls below 20° F – the extreme cold can cause dieback in pruned branches.
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.
Do plum trees fruit every year?
Fruit such as apples and plums may fruit in alternate years. This is known as biennial bearing. A generally poor crop, but vigorous growth. Performance may decline over several years.
How do you reduce the height of a tree?
Remove the vertical branches just above the juncture with the side branches. You would repeat this at all of the locations that contribute to its unwanted height. By pruning in this fashion, you will retain as much of the trees natural form as possible.
How do I prune my 3 year old plum tree?
After three or four years the tree will likely be growing tall. Prune back the trunk 12 – 20 inches at a bud each year so fruit and vegetative buds concentrate in the bottom tree branches. Every year, cut out dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Also remove unproductive shoots and any crossing branches.
Can I prune a plum tree in autumn?
Plums should be pruned in late spring, or over the summer months, and not in autumn or over the winter. Since many other trees are best pruned over the dormant period, this is one thing that sets plum and other Prunus trees apart.
How do you rejuvenate an old plum tree?
Leave lower shoots alone since the aim of fruit tree rejuvenation is to get the tree to produce new wood in the lower section. During the second year of winter, lower the tree’s height by another few feet (1 to 2 m.) if necessary. You can also shorten limbs to give the lowest branches better light.
How do you fertilize plum trees?
A plum tree that is three years or younger needs no more than 1/2 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer once in mid-April and once in early June. A mature plum tree benefits from one annual application of 10-10-10 fertilizer in a quantity of 8 ounces for every year of the tree’s age. It can be applied in mid-April.
How tall do plum trees grow?
about 18-20 feet
Depending on the type of fruit tree you’re hoping to plant, the mature height may vary just a little: pears* and plums reach about 18-20 feet in height, while apricots grow up to 15-20 feet tall/wide.
How do you look after a plum tree?
Grow plum trees in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Prune in summer and mulch in autumn with home-made compost or well-rotted animal manure. Harvest the plums when ripe and juicy.
Do plum trees need feeding?
When to Feed Plum Trees. The tree’s age is a barometer on when to fertilize. Fertilize newly planted plums in the early spring before it leafs out. During the tree’s second year, fertilize the tree twice a year, first in early March and then again about the first of August.
Can I prune plum tree in summer?
Once plum trees have established (about 3 years old) they can be pruned in summer, from June onwards. Plum trees, along with cherries, peaches and apricots are all plants from the genus Prunus and are best pruned lightly in the summer. Carefully prune out the centre of the canopy to create an open goblet shape.