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Unhealthy plum tree

stephaniedunn1988uwdF9NqQstephaniedunn1988uwdF9NqQ Posts: 42
edited April 2021 in Problem solving
Hi,
I’m just looking for some advice re: my plum tree please. We had some issues last year as tree didn’t fully produce leaves. Cut it back a little and that seemed to help. It doesn’t seem to be blooming much at all now. It has a yellow/green coating all over it (? Lichen). Would be very grateful for any advice.

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    The lichen won't cause any issues, but it is a sign of slow growth (and clean air.)  Without more info. about what the issues were last year, it's tricky to speculate as to the cause.  Can we see a photo of the base of the tree, as that may give clues?  It looks like a very old tree, so it may be simply nearing the end of its life.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • stephaniedunn1988uwdF9NqQstephaniedunn1988uwdF9NqQ Posts: 42
    Thank you for your reply. This issues last year were that the tree wasn’t covered in leaves, it’d have bare branches. It seemed to get a bit better after we gave it loads of water. We’ve got clay soil and the warmth last year really dried it out. I’ll post a pic from last year:
    This is the base of the tree now:



    I’ve just snipped off-shoots off the trunk.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited April 2021
    Thanks for the photo's.  I can't see anything serious like evidence of fungal attack at the base, so I think you've identified the problem yourself - lack of water.  Because of the structures close to it, the roots will be struggling to get enough water and food to support that huge canopy (the roots will naturally spread as wide as the canopy, if allowed.)  Because it has been weakened, it will grow slowly and be susceptible to diseases like Brown rot on the blossom and fruit.  You could consider getting a professional in to reduce the canopy to reduce that need, or water it copiously (at least 3 or 4 buckets, twice a week) in dry or hot weather.  I would also give it a feed by using some blood, fish & bone fertilizer gently worked into any open soil within a 20ft diameter which you can access.  However, water is more important to help it recover before feeding.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • stephaniedunn1988uwdF9NqQstephaniedunn1988uwdF9NqQ Posts: 42
    Thanks so much for the reply! I’ve put some fertiliser down and I’ll continue to water it. Do you recommend continuing with the fertiliser or is it a one-off? I can see new leaves shooting out so hopefully it’ll continue to grow with the better weather coming up.
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