Is my plum tree dying? (see pics)

[Storm]

I have got a Victoria plum tree in my garden. Some thing seems to have afflicted it. It blossomed as usual and seemed to be well when the first leaves came. Then the leaves started to curl and go brown. There appear to be no caterpillars or similar things that I am familiar with on there.

See the photos for samples of leaves and also some strange mites that I saw on one of the branches. Are they the cause?


In winter the wind tore a branch partially off at a "Y" where a branch separated in to two. I cut the damaged part off but the tear from the wind left a damaged part which you can also see in the pictures at the bottom of the cut.

I am concerned that some nasty disease has got in and my plum tree is going to perish. Any suggestions as to what is affecting my tree and what can be done about it? The tree sits in a sunny south-facing garden and it's been very dry here too.

[Antony]

I live on the South coast, near Brighton, and I have had exactly the same thing happen to my Victoria plum tree too.

The small round things have been on the tree for about 3 years now, and weren't previously a problem. But this year, just after the fruit appeared, the leaves all went brown and fell off.

Also, I have another plum tree nearby (I'm not sure which variety, but not Victoria), which also has the round things, but is not otherwise affected.

It's very strange, and I would like to know what is happening, and if it is fatal.

[VirginVegGrower]

Is it plum leaf curl caused by aphids?

[FB.]

The pictures show several problems.

Pictures #1 & #2 look like leaves damaged by aphids. Aphids cause the crinkly appearance (the aphids hide from predators in the crinkles) and eventually the leaves die.

Picture #3 is sap oozing from a slightly incosiderate and untidy pruning wound. Pruning cuts should be clean and neither too close nor too far from the inter-node junction, otherwise, infections or dieback can result. It is possible that some canker has entered the wound, or it may simply be the sheer size of the ragged wound.

Picture #4 looks like scale insects.

............

I don't think that your tree is dying, but keep an eye on the pruning wound for signs of worsening.

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