Plum Tree Under the Weather

[Sweet Alford]

My plum tree looks healthy with lots of baby fruit apart from one branch (see photo). At first I assumed it was frosted but I wonder if it is something worse. Either way I do not know what to do about it and would really appreciate your expert advice.

Thank you for your help.

[boundtothesoil]

Looks like the branch might be terminally infected with canker. Have a close look along the trunk around the point at which the first dead shoots emerge. Lesions and discolouration, totally ringing the branch, plus oozing are symptoms. Don't know what your variety is, but Victoria, for example, is pretty prone to cankering. If you cut the branch off a few inches below the first site of infection it should survive though.

[Kirk]

Remove it from the tree.
I would take off as much as possible of the branch and hopefully the infection will not have spread to the main trunk. There is little point leaving any of the branch on even if there looks like several inches from the infection to the trunk.

Then seal the cut with something.

[orangepippin]

I agree, check for canker and cut it out quick.

[Sweet Alford]

Thank you all for your help, I am sad to say that you are right - see attached photo. As you can see it will be very difficult to remove the diseased branch (to the right of the picture) without leaving some of the infection on the trunk. I am also in two minds about using Arbrex as that might seal the problem inside. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all again.



PS I moved here only last year so am not responsible for the wonky shape!

[binley100]

You might have to cut back below the diseased bit....not recommended to seal anymore as you can seal in infection.