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Pruning plum tree
Susie666
Posts: 2
Hi
any advice on pruning this pl
um tree in attached photo.
0
Susie666
Posts: 2
Posts
I'm not very good on pruning for shape, so will let someone else advise on that. However, whatever you decide to do will need to wait til midsummer - pruning a plum now leaves it open to attack by silverleaf - which could do for it altogether
I agree with chicky - don't prune it yet. In the summer you should cut off (flush with the trunk) at least all of the lower branches circled in red:
If it were my tree, I'd also remove the branches circled in blue:
I'd also tie it to a stake using tree ties and try to train it into a more upright shape, but that could be difficult.
I wouldn't prune it at all, you're not growing for an team of pickers, what does it matter where the branches are, and why would you want a ladder to have to pick your fruit? I would be a bit bothered by the lean though, with a heavy crop all at the top of the tree you'll end up with the tree on the ground if you don't stake it or at least but it some ropes. I don't like tree stakes, they're for council estates to stop yobs snapping off your tree before it's grown thick enough to hang a 14 year old off.