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Dwarf plum tree shape
ian thenut
Posts: 55
Hi, I'm after a bit of advice.
I bought a bare root dwarf plum tree two years ago. It seems to be fine however it's only sprouting branches from the middle (I assumed it would be from all over the central column).
Is this normal or am I supposed to do something to prompt growth further up?
Many thanks.
I bought a bare root dwarf plum tree two years ago. It seems to be fine however it's only sprouting branches from the middle (I assumed it would be from all over the central column).
Is this normal or am I supposed to do something to prompt growth further up?
Many thanks.
0
Posts
I would agree with checking whether the upper part of the main leader (central trunk) is alive or not - scrape the bark with your thumbnail to see if it is still green and moist underneath.
If it is dead then you can create a new leader using the branch on the right with the most shoots if your preference is a tree with a central leader.
Cut the main trunk at the red line. Leave a little stub above the new leader branch in case of die-back - you can clean it up at a later date after the new leader has thickened up.
Stake the tree (brown lines) and pull the tree towards the stake to make it appear straight. Use rubber straps or old bicycle inner tubes. Be gentle when bending the new leader to the vertical - you can do it little by little over a long period of time instead of all at once.