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Mature Plum Tree
Ashdale
Posts: 149
the mature plum tree that we inherited when we moved in to our property 5 years ago has been rejuvenated by clearing the area and letting in more light. As a result, we had a bumper crop last year. But to my horror, the tree does not have a single leaf or flower this year and frankly looks dead. Does anyone have any experience of this?
0
Posts
A few things:
It may be stressed due to a harder winter or a heavy crop last year. Give it a good dose of fertiliser and a good water then mulch around the base, avoiding piling it against the trunk. If it has buds, it should be fine. Give it a year, if it's stressed, it'll bounce back with care. If it's dead, it's not going anywhere. You can take the time to find out.
Thanks for the replies. I have had a closer look and I might have spotted a leaf bud but it's too high to be 100% sure. I will follow your advice, Jimmy, and hope for the best. As you say, time will tell. In the meantime, I have decided to buy amother plum tree, which will give me 3 in total. That should give a better chance of a decent crop each year?
What are the signs of honey fungus to look out for, Pansyface.
Be warned that honey fungus spreads both by spores entering wounds, and by underground rhizomes. If it is honey fungus, it might be best not to plant trees nearby. Apparently a dying tree will often fruit abundantly before pegging out. But fingers crossed your tree is just being capricious, and is healthy. Last years fruiting might have exhausted it, as Jimmy says, which is partly why people sometimes thin out fruit. Incidentally, wait till summer, then prune, if you see living wood you are fine. Another pest is silverleaf fungus, Chondrostereum purpureum, which spreads by spores in wounds in the cooler wetter months, hence summer pruning.