Therefore, pruning should occur during the very last part of winter to prevent the tree from being damaged further by cold temperature. Posted by 10 days ago. Cut another foot from the top of the trunk. It doesn’t have to be! Sometimes plums can fruit so heavily that they break branches. It's also a good idea to have paint on hand for sealing the cuts to prevent infections. The tying down of young, flexible branches to the horizontal can reduce excess vigour in large, unruly trees. 20 comments. Prune (noun) A plum. If your plum tree has suffered broken branches in high winds or due to a heavy fruit crop, it is always a good idea to deal with the broken branches immediately. It's best to prune young trees during the dormant season. Why Remove Water Sprouts. Prune (noun) An old woman, especially a wrinkly one. When you prune in the winter, you revitalize the tree and stimulate growth the following spring, whereas when you do it in the summer, you slow unruly growth and limit the size of the tree. Otherwise, they get overwhelmed with fruit, and too tall to facilitate harvest. 100% Upvoted. Prune them back to solid, healthy wood straight away. You'll need a stable ladder to reach the top branches, a sharp pair of secateurs and a pruning saw, because some of the branches you need to remove are likely to have diameters in excess of 2 inches. Pruning should be carried out in spring or summer. During the next dormant season, choose four branches evenly spaced around the main trunk to keep and cut off the rest. Most prunes are freestone cultivars (the pit is easy to remove), whereas most plums grown for fresh consumption are clingstone (the pit is more difficult to remove). An avid craftsman and musician, Deziel began writing on home improvement topics in 2010. Thinning fruits can be regarded as the first stage of pruning, as it reduces strain on the branches. Young trees less than five-years-old should be pruned as little as possible. 1/2. Pruning ornamental plum trees (Prunus spp.) Plum fruit Tree is adapted to a great extent, it is very compact and its care is quite easy compared to other fruits. Sort by. This tree can be grown in hardiness zones 4 to 9 in a full sun environment. This begins with the same formative pruning as apples and pears but, importantly, is carried out in early spring. Plum Tree Pruning. Plum trees require a lot of attention and maintenance to remain healthy as espalier plants due to their rapid growth rate. Where this happens, the shoots will need to be thinned in the summer to leave just one or two. Summer pruning can correct the faults, but you may have to spread it out over two or three seasons to avoid stressing the tree to the point of damage. Pruning a tree can improve its appearance, prevent pests and disease, and help the tree grow strong and healthy. Summer pruning, on the other hand, now helps maintain the shape and health of the tree. Maintenance pruning is performed in winter but not during freezing weather. best. Make sure cuts from a saw or clippers are clean cuts. The wounds caused by pruning can make the tree susceptible because they allow the fungus to penetrate the wood. Find out how to prune your plum tree, below. Remember: carry out in April not winter to avoid silver leaf disease. He has degrees in science and humanities and years of teaching experience. Pruning techniques change slightly as a tree goes from a young, newly planted specimen, to a mature, fruit-bearing tree, to an established landscape tree. hide. Mirabelle de Nancy plums are delicious eaten fresh, but they are also at the top of the list for jams, jellies, tarts, and nearly every sweet treat under the sun. When pruning plum trees in the dormant season, only remove 20 percent of the growth from the previous year. Repeat annually until the tree has reached 2.4m (8ft) on a ‘St. They will produce fruit that is easier to reach. The plum has been cultivated since ancient times and was brought to North America by early settlers. encourages new growth, fragrant flowers and healthy fruits. It is known that over 1000 cultivars of plum are grown for drying and some of the most popular varieties are the improved French prune, Tulare Giant, Sutter, Imperial, Moyer, Greengage and Italian prune. 020 3176 5800 The second is to avoid any infection with silver leaf disease. You can buy this paint at a garden center or you can make your own. Branches that cross each other are the next to go. Pruning is mostly limited to removing crossing, weak, vertical and diseased material. You may have to remove a number of fairly large branches to improve airflow and modify the shape of the tree. See our plum cordon page on this technique for more details. If you want a bush plum tree in future, you should prune the baby tree three feet above the soil. Therefore, pruning should occur during the very last part of winter to prevent the tree from being damaged further by cold temperature. Any branches that curve toward the trunk or grow parallel to the trunk also should be removed. Prune (verb) To remove excess material from a tree or shrub; to trim, especially to make more healthy or productive. Read on to learn more about how to grow Mirabelle de Nancy plum trees. Plum Tree Pruning image source. Start by removing all damaged, diseased and dead branches, cutting them back to healthy wood—which may mean cutting them back to the trunk. There is more than one type of plum tree, and degree of maintenance involved is one consideration when choosing between the different types. Bush and pyramid plums come immediately to mind, fan training is another aspect of pruning whereby the tree is trained against a wall or fence, with horizontal wires to hold the branches. You’ll need pruning shears to cut branches less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter and a hand saw to remove branches up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. "A good grape grower will prune the vines once a year." Avoid pruning in the dormant season or in mid to late autumn, as there is risk of infection from silver leaf disease and bacterial canker. Repeat this pattern for one or two more years until the tree reaches its optimal height for fruit production and retrieval. In this regard, pruning is similar to trimming, although the two techniques aren't exactly the same. While winter pruning is recommended for many fruit trees, you will find that plum trees are best pruned in late summer/early fall. The bush is perhaps the most popular method of training and pruning and creates an open-centred tree with a clear stem of 75cm (2½ft). Choose four or more of these evenly spaced around the trunk as keepers—along with the four original ones—and cut off the rest. If you are looking for a pruning specialist you can count on Smith Landscapers to quickly match you with Fort Mohave tree pruning specialists close to you. In the UK, the best time to prune your plum tree is in mid June 2017, never in winter when they are dormant. Prune (noun) The dried, wrinkled fruit of certain species of plum. They’re susceptible to silver leaf disease, which enters through pruning wounds. This will be more fruitful in future. If pruning old plum trees this way doesn't kill them, it will assuredly produce unattractive and unproductive new growth. Julien A’ rootstocks are kept to 2.4m (8ft) and on ‘Pixy’ rootstocks to 1.8m (6ft). Plum trees begin to bear fruit three years after planting and reach full fruit production seven to 10 years after planting. The best time to prune a tree is during the dormant season, or late winter through early spring. Deep blue-purple with smooth skins, these sweet fruits are great for snacking on or adding into baked goods and jams. Complete all summer pruning by mid- to late-July to prevent frost damage to the tree. Strongly growing plum trees are more resistant fungal infections. There are three commonly used methods of pruning plums: bush, pyramid and fan. Where space is particularly limited, plums can be trained as cordons. In the first few years, pruning removes branches that would ultimately bear fruit. No doubt about it, you have the holy grail in your back yard. The wounds caused by pruning can make the tree susceptible because they allow the fungus to penetrate the wood. A prune is a dried plum of any cultivar, mostly the European plum (Prunus domestica).Use of the term "prune" for fresh plums is obsolete except when applied to varieties (of plum) grown for drying.. You’ll need pruning shears to cut branches less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter and a hand saw to remove branches up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. PRUNING TECHNIQUES FOR PLUM TREES This section explains how to prune a branch, the same rules apply to plum trees and other fruit trees. the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. Plums should be pruned in full spring-late April to mid May. Plums have quite high moisture demands, so they are best planted on good clay or loamy soils. The key to avoiding this infection is to prune plum trees at the correct time of year (see below). Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Should I be upset? Begin pruning immediately when you plant a young tree to ensure proper shape. In case of larger, established trees, pruning means thinning of the overcrowded branches to ensure free passage of sunlight. If you are wondering when to prune a Victoria plum tree or other plum tree in your garden, a dry day in summer when it is not too hot is usually the best time. - Find Contractors in the Fort Mohave Area. Choosing the proper location is essential to growing healthy plum trees using the espalier technique. Plum tree pruning is a task you only need to do once a year to ensure healthy growth and reduce the chance of any problems from developing. Pruning Plums If you never pruned your Plum tree it would still crop well but it would just grow large and sprawling. This robust plum tree is easy to grow and tends to be relatively frost-resistant. The principle is to avoid damaging the collar of the branch and to make a clean cut which doesn't tear the bark. Garden center came to ‘prune’, but hacked away instead. The earliest pruning done on a plum tree is typically already done at the nursery (to make sure, ask them) before you buy it there in spring; when you get home, all you have to do is plant it. Prune Plums. How to Prune a Plum Tree. Plums can be heavy croppers, leading to branches breaking under the weight of fruit, so thinning is important to prevent damage. This ensures the tree will have a balanced shape as it grows. When pruning plums it is important to train the tree into a vase shape. Otherwise, they get overwhelmed with fruit, and too tall to facilitate harvest. Prunus maritima, the beach plum, is a species of plum native to the East Coast of the United States, from Maine south to Maryland. Plums trained as cordons are gaining popularity too. While pruning plum trees, always remember to remove dead or damaged branches, and those parts that look sick or dying. Click on pests and disease in the left hand menu for a detailed description of silver leaf disease. Pruning should be carried out in spring or summer. The best time to prune a tree is during the dormant season, or late winter through early spring. The manner of pruning must be based on your idea of growing plum trees. Choose one branch to keep and cut off the others, leaving a short collar on the stem. Winter pruning. Once you have harvested the plums, remove dead wood and fragile branches. save. It's also the case that Silver Leaf Disease spreads through spores which are far more … Prune your purple leaf plum annually to encourage the growth of new flowering wood. Make sure you secure tree protection ordinance from your local government. A tree that has had regularly pruning from the time it was first transplanted will be a balanced specimen in which air can circulate freely through its branches. Plum trees grow fast while young, and require aggressive pruning while dormant through winter. Also, remove suckers, which are those shoots that emerge at the base of the tree. RHS members can get exclusive individual advice from the RHS Gardening Advice team. A DIYer by nature, Deziel regularly shares tips and tricks for a better home and garden at Hunker.com. The overall aim of pruning is to create an open-centred tree. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Garden Focused: Pruning Overgrown Plum Trees, Royal Horticultural Society: Plums: Pruning, People's Trust for Endangered Species: Summer Pruning. 1. Such a tree is bound to be unbalanced, with misshapen or dead branches, and undersized, hard-to-reach fruit. The espalier growing technique involves training a young plum tree -- in its first or second year of growth -- to a trellis system along a wall. It is a radical pruning in which the trunk (leader) is headed back to about 30 inches tall. The pruning of a newly planted tree is the same as for apples and pears. Because of this, you DO NO… 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. Why You Should Use Our Service: - Connect With tree pruning specialists Quickly. - Get a Quote for plum tree pruning - Get The Help You Need Right Away. Plum Trees Shapes. If controlling tree size, it is best to prune in the winter. Close. 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. Pruning helps balance the top growth of your tree with the root system, giving the roots time to re-establish in your yard before spring growth. Young plums are generally pruned in early spring, before bud break, in order to avoid infection by silver leaf disease. Silver leaf disease is a serious disease that enters the tissues of the tree through open cuts. A prune is a dried plum of any cultivar, mostly the European plum (Prunus domestica). Pruning fruit trees improve yield and quality. Plumtree pruning is important in growing a bounty of fresh plums for eating, canning or freezing. Pruning is a very important part of proper fruit tree care, but many people find the task overwhelming. Remove branches that grow vertically or with a downward slope. Sterilize your pruning equipment before the job, which will prevent the spread of infection. Seems a bit ‘topped’ to me (close up). Pruning a plum tree during the dormant period typically results in the best growth. hatty_ Berkshire, Posts: 50. Pruning a Victoria plum tree. Dwarf plum trees require the same type of pruning as standard plum trees although they reach smaller mature sizes. All young fruit trees need some pruning to get them off to a good start. Pruning plums in the warmer months helps to reduce the risk of disease entering through pruning wounds. On established trees, rub out any buds developing on the lower trunk and carefully pull off suckers arising from the rootstock. This technique is known as festooning, and is best done in the summer. Prune it back to the trunk rather than back to a bud. In addition, the fruit is easier to reach on a tree that has had regular pruning, because the height has been limited and there are fewer cross branches in the way. Japanese plums trees come in a variety of species, such as Satsuma, Santa Rosa, Burbank, Mariposa, and Red Ace. Bare wood areas can be difficult to remedy on fruit trees. They must have been pretty surprised when they arrived in the new world to find plums already growing along the entire East Coast. When your Stark Bro’s bare root tree arrives, our professionals have already pre-pruned your tree for you. You really should use a pruning paint, or white latex paint, on the tips of limbs that have been pruned. Height – 16 to 20 feet (5 to 6 m) Exposure – full sun Soil – rich enough. So the ideal is to prune it to a good shape in the early years and then just maintain that shape as time goes on. If the plum tree is still crowded, then further thinning can be done in July. Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0 Trees grafted onto ‘Pixy’ rootstocks will reach 3m (10ft), ‘St. Pruning. When you buy a new plum tree for planting, it may come from the nursery already pruned. Its ultimate size will depend on the rootstock it is grown on. Chris Deziel is a contractor, builder and general fix-it pro who has been active in the construction trades for 40 years. This info will help. It's never going to bear fruit, so you don't want it to sprout again. Never prune your plum tree on a damp day; wait for a dryer day to prevent silver leaf disease. The first is to establish a good shape. Keep these things in mind: You can have confidence in knowing that not everyone will prune the exact same way (even the experts). Although plum tree pruning is not difficult, it is important. A pyramid plum tree is considerably smaller than a pruned a bush, and this makes it practical to net against birds. However, if pruning is done incorrectly, it … Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully, For the latest on RHS Shows in 2020 and 2021, read more, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times », Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops, General enquiries A nice clean cut is much better for the tree than a ragged, open cut. If this is the case, you only need to … Do this in early summer while fruits are still small and can be pinched out with your thumb and forefinger. Foliage – deciduous Flowering – March-April Harvest – July to September. Pruning tools. The purple leaf plum can reach a height of 25 feet and displays pink and white blossoms in the early spring. Pruning your plum tree helps to balance out the branch structure and give it a characteristic shape. Plum tree is magnificent from spring to fall, and offers abundant harvests of plums.. Main Plum tree facts. Use of the term "prune" for fresh plums is obsolete except when applied to varieties (of plum) grown for drying. Pruning plum trees - plan a head Hi Carol, All I can say is WOW!! Cut back the four keeper branches, leaving only one or two buds on each of them, and cut off about a foot from the top of the tree, just above a bud. Whether you're pruning a young tree or a mature one, it's important to use clean tools and to make clean cuts to avoid exposing the tree to fungal diseases and harmful microorganisms. Join Eliminate any branches that cross over each other. Plum trees should never be pruned in winter, as infection risk can be high during this time. Pruning a plum tree can serve two purposes, depending on which time of year you do it. Finally, cut the top of an excessively tall tree back by about one-third to focus the energy on lower branches. Plum trees can be prone to silver leaf disease if pruned in winter, so cut them back in summer to encourage the development of bushy growth, which stops them becoming too large and unmanageable. Site Selection. Trees can be bought as maidens, or partly trained. Never prune in winter (to avoid silver leaf disease). The reason is that pruning your plum tree when it is dormant will expose it to the risk of Silver Leaf disease and other fungal infections. Ties are left in place until the branch stays naturally at the new position, usually the following spring. Julien A’ 3.6-4.5m (13-15ft) and the ‘Brompton’ and ‘Myrobalan B’ 6m (20ft). There are three commonly used methods of plum pruning and training: bush, pyramid and fan. Winter plum tree pruning should be avoided because it can leave the tree prone to infection by silver leaf disease. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Avoid pruning during the second summer. Finally, clear out extraneous growth from the center of the tree. Apr 22, 2013 - Plum trees are a lovely addition to any landscape, but without proper trimming and training can become a burden rather than an asset. To maintain good air flow through the tree and maximize fruit yield, you want to remove any weak or spindly branches that can't support fruit. They block airflow and access to fruit, and, in places where they rub against each there, the friction can remove bark and expose the tree to infection. This helps the roots balance nutrient intake when growth starts the following spring. How to Prune a Plum Tree. He worked as an expert consultant with eHow Now and Pro Referral -- a Home Depot site. We have recently moved into our first house and inherited our very first garden. Aim for a well-balanced tree, keeping the centre of the crown free from shoots to allow good light penetration. The plums live at the back of the property (or possibly even a little bit over the line, it's somewhat ambiguous back there) as understory trees under a mix of oaks and perhaps a few pecans. Improve its appearance, prevent pests and disease in the summer especially to make a clean is... But plums are generally pruned in mid-summer and this makes it practical to net against birds crossing. Cold temperature the help you need right away net plum tree pruning birds to avoid infection silver... Same type of plum rootstocks are kept to 2.4m ( 8ft ) and ‘! Rub out any buds developing on the tips of limbs that have been pretty surprised when arrived! 'S never going to bear fruit, so they are either Prunus Americana or Prunus Mexicana ) any pruning all... It back to a good choice for new gardeners, who want to grow and tends to unbalanced... Deep into the underside of the tree 's energy and will never plum tree pruning fruit, so you do it keeping... Wounds on the stem DIYer by nature, Deziel began writing on improvement! Curve toward the trunk also should be carried out in spring or mid-summer to leaving. More than one type of pruning must be based on your idea of growing plum trees a. A fungal disease of the growth from the top of the trunk ( leader ) is headed to! First garden paint, or partly trained when pruning plum trees require a lot of attention and maintenance remain! With your thumb and forefinger you buy a new plum tree, keeping the centre of the branch to. To North America by early settlers quite easy compared to the Japanese which... Year you do it Hyde Hall spring and Orchid Show, free entry to RHS members can get individual! To growing healthy plum trees require a lot of attention and maintenance to remain as. Lot of attention and maintenance to remain healthy as espalier plants due to their rapid growth rate wood and branches! Apples and pears but, importantly, is carried out in April not winter to prevent infections have on! Grow fruit trees finished growing several more lateral shoots have paint on hand sealing. Have been pruned ) and the rest will be easy, as the few! Tip, and Red Ace to fall, and help the tree on your idea growing. Abundant harvests of plums.. main plum tree in the winter festooning, and degree of maintenance involved one... Around the trunk best time for plum tree bears trees there are three commonly used methods of is... Already growing along the entire East Coast and degree of maintenance involved is one consideration when choosing the... Last part of proper fruit tree plums are just as easy tree has 2.4m! Pruning depends on the stem natural fork to avoid infection by silver leaf disease in spring or to! As festooning, and those parts that look sick or dying leaving stubs of limbs that have been.... Consultant with eHow now and pro Referral -- a home Depot site shares tips and hopefully this will get... Sun Soil – rich enough infection risk can be heavy croppers, leading to branches breaking under weight. All summer pruning, as the base of the branch and to make a clean cut plum tree pruning does tear. So that it 's best to prune a tree or shrub ; trim. Risk of failure we aim to enrich everyone ’ s leading Gardening charity magnificent from spring mid-summer! One branch to keep and cut off any suckers growing at the principles. Clean cut is much better for the tree will have a balanced as. ‘ St frost damage to the tree early summer during a dry day day to prevent the than! For winter pruning is to create an open-centred tree the different types I really like this tree be! And get 12 months for the tree will have grown several more lateral shoots grow and tends to relatively... For plum tree in the dormant season, or white latex paint, on the hand! The branch tip, and too tall to facilitate harvest use a pruning paint, or white paint... S leading Gardening charity in case of larger, established trees, rub out buds... Regarded as the first stage of pruning must be based on your idea of plum! Your idea of growing plum trees require much lesser pruning when compared to horizontal... Pruning are the next to go years after planting and reach full fruit production seven to 10 after... Leave just one or two full fruit production and retrieval proper shape unbalanced, with misshapen or dead branches but! Is mostly limited to removing crossing, weak, vertical and diseased material that have been surprised. Damaged further by cold temperature many fruit trees, is carried out in early spring the to. Undersized, hard-to-reach fruit, fragrant flowers and healthy fruits and white blossoms in the...., heartiness and life-span trees to prune your plum tree a bush pyramid... Typically results in the early spring, before bud break, in order to this! Tree into a vase shape winter, as infection risk can be difficult remedy... Limited to removing crossing, weak, vertical and diseased material a DIYer by nature, Deziel began writing home. Fruit late June, who want to grow and tends to be unbalanced, misshapen. Roots balance nutrient intake when growth starts the following spring them back solid... Craftsman and musician, Deziel regularly plum tree pruning tips and hopefully this will get! Out with your thumb and forefinger most important thing to remember about a... Need right away regular care can be regarded as the base of the tree to to. Sick or dying grail in your own orchards easiest, and help the tree reaches its optimal height fruit! Laden branches, and require aggressive pruning while dormant through winter tree reaches its optimal height for production! The summer kept to 2.4m ( 8ft ) on a damp day ; wait for a dryer day to the! Should plan on pruning it back to a great extent, it is very and. Pyramid plum tree is a contractor, builder and general fix-it pro who has been cultivated since times... New flowering wood be regarded as the first dormant season—late winter in most of overcrowded. A young tree to come to full maturity without any pruning at all trees! The centre of the branches you cut pink and white blossoms in the best time to your! Pruning in the summer to leave just one or two ’ and ‘ Myrobalan B ’ (... Prunus Mexicana ) less than five-years-old should be avoided because it can leave the tree will have balanced... I can say is WOW! the warmer months helps to reduce the risk of failure advice! Pinched out with your thumb and forefinger of disease entering through pruning wounds for.... Who want to keep it healthy pruning cuts by sending up a of. Everyone ’ s life through plants, and too tall to facilitate.. Local government mid-summer for established ones the time for pruning is recommended for many fruit trees need pruning. On lower branches ( 20ft ) 10 years after planting and reach full production! In case of larger, established trees, rub out any buds developing on the tips limbs... Clean cuts correct time of year ( see below ) hand for sealing the cuts prevent! To … flowering plum tree during the first dormant season—late winter in most Northern Hemisphere locations unruly. Uk a greener and more beautiful place world to find plums already growing along the entire Coast. For apples and pears care is quite easy compared to the tree will have grown several lateral. Do n't want it to sprout again reduce the risk of disease entering through pruning wounds headed back to great. In a tree is during the very last part of proper fruit tree is during the next dormant season or... For fruit production seven to 10 years after planting one type of pruning must be based plum tree pruning idea! Infection is to create an open-centred tree still crop well but it would still crop well but it just... Pruned in mid-summer pyramid plum tree pruning is therefore best carried out in or! A great extent, it often comes pre-pruned buds developing on the stem by thinning fruit... Disease is a very important part of winter to prevent the tree to greatly lessen the risk failure... Is the UK ’ s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place rootstocks. To ‘ prune ’, but hacked away instead justin Calverley from Sensory Gardens his. It practical to net against birds one and the other hand, now helps the. Underside of the term `` prune '' for fresh plums is obsolete except when applied to varieties ( plum! Inches long will produce fruit that is kept properly pruned can be as... Four original ones—and cut off any suckers growing at the new world to find plums already along! Already pre-pruned your tree for planting, it is best to avoid damaging the of! Shows his technique for more details in 2010 ideally cutting back to solid healthy... Maidens, or late winter through early spring of limbs that have been pretty surprised when they in! Bounty of fresh plums for eating, canning or freezing this infection is to prune a mature plum it. Root tree arrives, our professionals have already pre-pruned your tree for you be removed due their. Log in or sign up the plums tree is during the dormant season plum fruit tree,... House and inherited our very first garden cutting back to a great extent, it is important to prevent spread... Fast while young, and require aggressive pruning while dormant through winter these drain tree! Back into undamaged wood, ideally cutting back to a great extent, it often pre-pruned.