Plum Trees

Posted by: Don Atkinson on 27 August 2006

Plum Trees

We have about two dozen plum trees. A dozen Green-gage, a dozen Damson and a coup[le of Victorias. This year they are laden with fruit and some of the branches are sgging badly.

I have tomorrow off work and intend to pick as much fruit as possible. I also thought it would be a good idea to prune the trees and cut out the dead wood.

Does anybody know when the best time of year is to prune plum trees and are there any "rules" to help ensure healthy trees?

Cheers

Don
Posted on: 27 August 2006 by Derek Wright
I know nowt about plum tress but know how to use Google so try
Plum tree massacre

I did hear on GQT the other week the need to thin out the fruit in early summer so as to let the remainder grow big and to also leave some strength in the tree for a good crop the following year. Plums here have been an alternate year crop probably because we do not thin out the fruit.
Posted on: 27 August 2006 by Beano
Don,

I've scanned these in from an old book we've got here, it might be useful.

ISBN 0-7525-1620-5










They look ok now, or at least on my screen they do.
Posted on: 27 August 2006 by Don Atkinson
Derek, Beano,

Many thanks for the link and the abstracts. These have certainly helped me understand why crop vary year to year and will help me get the trees back into decent shape.

Thank you

Cheers

Don
Posted on: 27 August 2006 by count.d
Don,

You're lucky having the Greengage.

Plums/Greengage should be pruned about now until mid Sept. Any later and the prune won't heal in time for the winter where they can get silver leaf infection. If you prune in the early spring they can bleed to death.