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Plum tree - what to do with it??!!

sibrewer01sibrewer01 Posts: 3
in Fruit & veg
Hi, I have the great pleasure of taking on an allotment next week. I have a job to do to clear the site but have noticed that there is, what appears to be, a plum tree on there and if possible, I'd like to keep it and help it thrive. But I'm a complete newbie, and would appreciate any advice on what first steps I should take. I've attached some photos to see if it helps anyone identify it and give me some good advice. I'm wondering if I should build a frame to support to it, but also should I prune it straight away or wait till Spring/Summer? What should I do about the spotty leaves? Its bent over at the top? Anything I should do straight away? Thanks for any help, folks! 

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It looks to me as if there’s a lot of suckering growth coming from below the graft. Prunus are notorious for carrying on suckering once they start. 

    To be honest I would discard it and get a new one this winter ... plant it and look after it well. It’ll soon overtake anything that poor neglected specimen can do, and you’ll have chosen a variety that suits your tastes. A bare-rooted tree from a reputable supplier isn’t that expensive ... and while you wait you can prepare the planting site to give it the best possible chance. 

    😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • sibrewer01sibrewer01 Posts: 3
    Dovefromabove said:

    To be honest I would discard it and get a new one this winter ... plant it and look after it well.

    😊 
    Thanks Dovefromabove - I'm giving this serious consideration. Appreciate your comment.
  • sibrewer01sibrewer01 Posts: 3
    pansyface said:
    Wow, that is some job you have on your hands there. I’m just amazed that you are worried about the shape of that tree!

    Don’t be too quick to judge a plant by its shape - the ugly ducklings are sometimes generous and bountiful.  

    Positive point - it does have some withered plums on it and flower buds for next year. So it's not a lazy good-for-nothing SOB.

    To be honest, I would devote my time and energy to clearing the ground of all that other stuff. If the plum tree manages to emerge alive from the slash and burn then I would give it a chance to prove itself.
    Thank you pansyface. Great post and made me laugh! I like the idea of giving the tree a chance to shine - a final roll of the dice. Ok - its a deal. I'll rescue it from the killer-netting and see if it likes freedom, focus my attention on re-creating a workable allotment plot (gulp!!) and review the plum tree situation next year. :) 
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