Saving my plum tree

[maljackson]

Hello fruity types.

I have a plum or damson tree that only has one leafy branch left alive on it.

Can I cut off the one leafy branch and stick it in a pot and expect it to grow?

Yours fruititiously, Mal.

[Lawrence]

That is one branch more than mine...

I think you will have to graft it for the best result, you might get it to root but then it will be a gamble as to how big it will get.
There are people who understand rootstocks, I am not one of them!

[FB.]

Hello fruity types.

I have a plum or damson tree that only has one leafy branch left alive on it.
Can I cut off the one leafy branch and stick it in a pot and expect it to grow?Yours fruititiously, Mal.

No.
If it has leaves on, the loss of water/nutrient supply from the roots to the leaves will cause the leaves to die within a day or two from dehydration.
Even if you could keep the leaves hydrated, the shoot would almost certainly rot long before it was able to produce roots.

Your chances are almost nil. You'll almost certainly kill the rest of the tree by cutting off what's left alive.

Personally, I'd be far more interested in finding out why the tree has become so sick.

Do you know the variety, the rootstock, and its age?
How big is the tree?

[maljackson]

No.
[snip]
Personally, I'd be far more interested in finding out why the tree has become so sick.

Do you know the variety, the rootstock, and its age?
How big is the tree?

Neglect, pure and simple. I'm somewhat ashamed, hence my desire to rescue the poor thing.

I've no idea of the variety, and it has no rootstock.

I'll make up for this by having more fruit trees and bushes than I started with. All I need do is create the space.

Thanks for your advice!
Mal.

[FB.]

Certain fruit trees (and rootstocks) are known for beaing suitable for lazy gardeners - such as requiring very little feeding, watering or pruning.


Certain varieties tend to naturally branch in the right places and crop at a fairly young age, and aren't particularly prone to disease.
Good choice of rootstock appropriate to your local climate will make the tree do what you want. Rootstocks can also have a good or bad influence on the shape and branching habit of the above-ground part of the tree.


Some variety/rootstock combinations are as simple as:
1. Dig hole.
2. Chuck tree in hole.
3. Kick dirt back into hole.
4. Come back a couple of years later and harvest the fruit.



Plums tend to need a bit more attention, otherwise they can break branches and/or become infected with silverleaf or canker. The very-popular Victoria is very prone to all kinds of problems - same as any other commonly-grown fruit (e.g. Cox apples).