How do tell how old a tree is...

[sqweek01]

... without cutting it down!

The reason I ask is that I've got a Victoria plum tree which is 5 & a half feet tall in my front garden. I've had it for a year & a half and have my first fruit this year. I say fruit but it's just ONE plum! Don't get me wrong it's definately worth the wait, I'm so excited to get one plum as I've always wanted a Victoria plum tree.

Now it's obviously got into the swing of living in my garden so can I expect more plums next year? Does it depend on the age of the tree or how I feed it?

Regards

Clare

[Scunny Zeb]

yah..another Scunny Bunny

I'm a little confused by your post..
Do you mean that you've had the tree a year and a half or your garden a year and a half ?

[WrexTheDragon]

I have a Damson that is about 30ft tall, must be over 20 years old.

You need to know the root stock that the tree has been grafted on. 5 1/2 feet is quite small, so it sounds like it may be 3/4 year old and this is also about the time to expect the first fruit.

Next year expect more, but you need to know when it flowers and when you have frost in your area.

Feed with Bonemeal early next year.

[gojiberry]

Five and a half feet is very small for a plum tree. I don't know for certain but I didn't think that generally plums were put onto really small rootstock. I know I had one in a previous house and it was about 15' high but had a really huge harvest. I think you will just have to wait and see. How much has the tree grown in the 18 months you have been there. If it has hardly grown then it is likely to be on a dwarfing rootstock but if it has grown, say a foot, then it is still in the process of growing bigger. Hope that helps a little.

Ian

[sqweek01]

Thanks Grapes!

Another Scunthorpe grape eh? It's not many forums have two you know!

I meant to say I've had the tree about a year! I'm not sure what the rootstock is, all I can tell you is it was £4 from Lidl

It has grown about a foot since I got it so it's probably not on dwarf rootstock. Everything you guys have said makes sense, I shall give it a feed and see what next year brings

Regards

Clare