Correct time Pruning Plums .

[Dalrimple]

Hi peeps Merry Christmas ,
Can anyone tell me when is the correct time to prune a blum tree please ?
the one Iv'e got on my new plot is to high with what looks to be the correct wine glass shape at the bottom 7 to 8 ft but there's a center branch thats 4 inch thick going up 25 ft with thick brances that are all over the place and will be difficult to pick fruit from .
I'm getting conflicting times from a few so called experts . any help will be appreciated !
atb Dal

[Scarlet]

I think established plum trees are usually pruned in early Summer.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=339

#just read the link! Prune established plum in July.

[veggiechicken]

You could try http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ght=festooning
I've done it to a couple of plum trees and I'm sure they were heavier cropping afterwards.

[Alison]

Definitely prune in summer

[Guest]

I prune stone fruit trees just after they are cleared of all fruit on a fine day. Apparently you can do it in late spring as well but never tried. The main reason for the dates is to avoid silver leaf disease.

[Dalrimple]

Thanks for the replies ,
I carn't get me head round the fact that iv'e got to let the branches that need cutting out grow to full leaf and flower ,which in my mind will use growing energy that would benefit the remaining tree ! atb Dal

[Scarlet]

I carn't get me head round the fact that iv'e got to let the branches that need cutting out grow to full leaf and flower ,which in my mind will use growing energy that would benefit the remaining tree ! atb Dal

It's not often we would let a plant use its energy in producing leaves/blossom before pruning but as NG has said plum trees are prone to silver leaf desease which can be fatal. There are fewer fungal spores during the summer which will attack through the pruning wounds so it's the lesser of two evils.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=245

[Dalrimple]

You could try http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ght=festooning
I've done it to a couple of plum trees and I'm sure they were heavier cropping afterwards.

VC. iv'e just looked at the festooning thread ! if you read my post it would be difficult to bend a 4inch (100mm) thick branch 25ft down to the ground! LOL. i'm thinking gaint catapult and me being lobbed out of the allotment and over one row of terraced houses if not two , ill get the vidio set it could go on You tube. all the best Dal

[veggiechicken]

Look forward to seeing it, Dal

You'll just have to be patient until summer comes. Maybe you could remove the flowers (if you have 25' arms) so that all the fruit producing energy goes into the branches you can reach?

[Scarlet]

Look forward to seeing it, Dal

Me too!