How to prune plum trees (2023)

plum trees aredeciduous,flowering trees. They can be grown in soils with average fertility and moisture. Plant them in a spot that drains well and isin full sun.

The European plum tree (Prunus Domestica) was chosen for this project. It is best to grow inSons5 to 9. It can grow to about 15 feet tall and should start producingfruitthree to five years after the first planting. European plums are sweet and aromatic. The fruit can be eaten fresh, canned, or dried with prunes. Proper pruning is essential for quality fruit production.

Why European plum trees are a good choice

There is more than one type of plum tree and their grademaintenanceThere is a consideration involved in choosing between the different types.European plum treesrequire less pruning than the more vigorous Japanese plum trees (P. salicina) making it a better choice for those who place a high priority onless landscaping.

There are two other reasons for northern gardeners to choose a European plum tree (instead of a Japanese plum tree) besides the lower maintenance requirements. The European plum tree flowers later, so there is less chance of frost damage, and is more self-fertile (but always check with the nursery before buying), eliminating the need to grow another tree to act as a pollinator.

Even European plum trees need pruning to get the best possible harvest. The good news is that such pruning is fairly easy, takes little time annually, and is quite affordable after the initial outlay of buying some cheap tools.

Why you should prune plum trees

There are many reasons to prune plum trees, and the relevance of these reasons depends on factors such as the age of your tree and the time of year. Pruning back in early spring encourages new growth. Prune in summer to limit the size of the plant and open up its interior (canopy). Again, opening up the tree's canopy (and limiting its size) by pruning helps in several ways:

• It promotes good air circulation, which reduces the risk of illness.
• Removal of dead, damaged, or diseased limbs also minimizes disease, as does removal of crossing limbs that are rubbing against each other (potentially opening wounds that are invitingIllness).
• The fruit receives more sunlight, making it bigger and improving its flavor.
• The increased sunlight also helps the newest branches to thrive.
• The plums are easier for you to reach at harvest time because you are working with a tree that is shorter and has fewer cross branches to obstruct your reach.
• Pruning to favor long, lateral branches will maximize fruit production.

Opening of the canopy is extremely important for older trees, but obviously not for young trees (which do not yet have a significant canopy). But in addition to stimulating new growth, young trees get one key benefit from pruning: shaping. Especially when a plum tree is young, care must be taken to prune it in a way that creates a framework of branches, which is conducive to the long-term health of the tree, the production of shapely fruit, and the ease of harvesting that fruit.

When to prune plum trees

When you prune a plum tree depends in part on the developmental stage of the tree. For young trees you are in the process of shaping, make only one pruning in early spring. Prune adult trees that you have already shaped into shape once in midsummer (prune lightly except on the rare occasion you need to remove one of the tree's main branches because it was damaged by an ice storm in winter).

There are specific reasons for timing young tree pruning in spring: it stimulates the formation of new branches early in the growing season and gives them the best chance of growing vigorously that year. The resulting wounds have less time to heal before the tree begins to grow vigorously in spring, during which time the tree's healing powers are in full swinghighestand small wounds heal relatively quickly.

The earliest pruning on a plum tree is usually already done at the nursery (check with them to be sure) before you buy it there in spring. When you get home, all you have to do is plant it. It is a radical pruning where the trunk (ladder) standsdecreasedto about 30 inches tall.

The concern for healing here relates specifically to a fungal disease to which plums are susceptible, known as "silverleaf" (Chondrosterium purple). Silverleaf uses lacerations to gain access to the branches of a tree. It leads to silvering of the leaves of the infected branch. It can eventually kill the branch.