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Plum tree problem

geoff979geoff979 Posts: 16
in Fruit & veg

Would appreciate some advice please.

I recently moved home and inherited a plum tree about 18 feet in height.. It bloomed well this year and lots of fruit appeared. Then the leaves went all shiny and sticky with lots of aphids underneath. The fruits started to wither & drop and I also noticed areas of black on the bark together with dark globules of sap. It seemed to affect other things in the garden so I took the radical step of cutting it to about head height leaving just three short branches above the trunk.

I imagine this wasn't the best course of action but due to the size of the tree, any spraying was out of the question. Will it be any good now if I keep the growth to a lower level or should I dispense with it altogether?

Any help much appreciated. Thank you

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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,139

    I agree with Pansyface - all good things must come to an end and this plum tree's time is up image


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





  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Yes, I' agree with that Pansyface - looks like a bacterial canker to me.  The tree's a gonna when it gets as bad as that Geoff, so look at it as an opportunity for planting something new.

     

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • geoff979geoff979 Posts: 16

    Thanks very much for all the replies I much appreciate it. I somehow guessed that would be the answer. I shall remove it without delay.

  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532
    It could be aphids, but I wouldn't dig it up if you keep pruning it won't fruit you have to leave it for now it will fruit maybe next year or year after it won't fruit on new woodimage
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Jo, it shouldn't, but as a general rule I would never grow the same species of plant/tree in exactly the same spot as one which was diseased.  If I had to, I'd dig out a large hole and swap the soil with that from another part of the garden.  Just general garden hygiene and a case of 'better safe than sorry' really. image

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • geoff979geoff979 Posts: 16

    Thanks Btg I was wondering what I could plant there. Not another plum then.

    The root will probably be difficult to remove so as it's in the middle of a lawn I'll grass it over. One less obstacle to mow around, and I've still got three nice fruiting apple trees.

     

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