Plum not quite dead yet, it's feeling happy

[JimineyC]

No end of fruit problems, I've just posted about my Cherry, and now I'd like some thoughts about my plums.
I've got a couple of Victoria plum minarettes. One of them is fine, and looks like producing fruit this year, however the one I planted in this year I was sure had died until it sprouted a little clutch of leaves near the base.
Basically, I'm unsure what to do with it. Four leaves does not a healthy plant make. Should I cut the tree short, almost back to the leaves, or just remove a bit from the top? Should I give up on it altogether, which I'd rather not do if I can save it somehow.
I thought I'd leave any drastic pruning until the autumn.

Any thoughts?

Ta


Jim

[FB.]

Is the growth coming from below the graft line? It's hard to get enough resolution form the pictures.

If it's from below the graft, then either re-graft the whole tree, or bin it (unless you want to take a chance that the rootstock will produce edible fruits). If it is the rootstock which is growing, I have no idea what kind of fruit quality or quantity you will get.

If the growth is from above the graft, then I'd investigate where and why the upper part has died. Perhaps canker or silver leaf?

Ultimately, if the top half of the tree is dead, it will have to be removed; you can't leave the dead branches for too long or disease will spread.

Pruning could be a problem, since plums are supposed to be pruned only during the growing season - preferably early spring. But cutting the whole top off is some serious pruning and will leave a large wound, so I'd use a wound sealant.

[JimineyC]

The growth is above the graft line. I planted it in before any foliage had developed so I can't say if Silver leaf was the issue, and I can't see any signs of infection on the plant.
Hmm