Plum Tree Advice Please

[Ananke]

I have a 3yr old plum tree that has what looks like a secondary trunk that is growing from about 10/15cm up the main trunk. This secondary one is like a whole new tree and is growing up through the branches of the main tree.

I want to lop this off but I know nothing about trees, is it ok just to do that?

[rustylady]

Could you post a photo of the tree?

[Ananke]

I'm heading down to the plot today and i'll get a photo Rusty

[sandspider]

By the sounds of it, you could trim off the extra branch without too much worry. I've pruned my plum trees fairly brutally, and they've been fine. I'd wait until the sap is lower though, maybe February or November time to reduce the risk of rot / infection in the cut branch. And cut carefully, outside the branch collar where it joins the trunk. Don't let the cut tear - do a first cut higher up the branch to take the weight off, then a neat second cut at the base.

[Kirk]

Sounds as if the extra branch could be coming off of the rootstock.
If it is then remove it as the rootstock will favour the growth of this piece.

If you can see the graft is the new branch from below it?

If it is then remove it.

[Ananke]

Kirk, it does look like it's coming from the rootstock and now another one has appeared that I didn't notice before.

[TrialAndError]

That does look like it's coming from the rootstock and I would certainly prune it away. The accepted advice is always to prune plum trees when they are growing strongly and not when they are dormant. June is a good time. This should avoid Silver Leaf Disease which occurs when they are pruned in cool and damp weather. Also, prune on a dry day to avoid fungal diseases getting into the cut
.
Then comes the question, should the cut be sealed? It does seem nowadays that the advice is not to seal it, it will do that best by itself if the above advice is followed. There are piles of articles and books saying to use sealant but they tend to be older advice.

[Ananke]

Thanks for all the advice, you guys are great. I will lop them both off in June, although I'm in Scotland and there is no guarantee it won't be cool and damp then too

[fishpond]

As they are coming from the rootstock, I would remove them now. (they are taking a lot of energy away from the tree)
As it is a Plum Tree, I would seal the wounds immediately to reduce the risk, as the time it takes to heal leaves the tree wide open to infection.

[Ananke]

Fishpond, what would you seal it with?

I've never had a plum from this tree and wonder if this is the reason.

[rustylady]

Your tree appears to be leafing up, so I would prune them out now.

[fishpond]

Fishpond, what would you seal it with?

I've never had a plum from this tree and wonder if this is the reason.

Personally, I use Bayer Garden Arbrex SEAL & HEAL, does the job.

[Ananke]

Thanks Fishpond, I'll nip out to B&Q tomorrow when Mr Ananke gets his auld gits discount Then go do the dreaded deed.

[sandspider]

That does look like it's coming from the rootstock and I would certainly prune it away. The accepted advice is always to prune plum trees when they are growing strongly and not when they are dormant. June is a good time. This should avoid Silver Leaf Disease which occurs when they are pruned in cool and damp weather. Also, prune on a dry day to avoid fungal diseases getting into the cut
.
Then comes the question, should the cut be sealed? It does seem nowadays that the advice is not to seal it, it will do that best by itself if the above advice is followed. There are piles of articles and books saying to use sealant but they tend to be older advice.

I stand corrected with regards to cutting times for plum. Having said that, I cut mine in Feb (IIRC), and they seem fine. I didn't seal the cuts either, though I did make sure that the fresh cut faces of the branch stubs were at a nearly vertical angle so water didn't pool on them. I may have just been lucky though...