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Plum Tree Problems
CraigM
Posts: 3
Hoping someone can help me solve a problem with a young plum tree planted 3 years ago. Initial growth was good for first 1-2 years but then last year the tree appears to have lost it life.
Its located on the east side of our house and gets sun from morning until early afternoon. The grass thrives and it's within a circa 2foot diameter cut. I top the base with compost and a bark mulch over winter.
The leaves have shrivled and branches feel like they are turning woody. All other growth in the area is good.
I'm new to gardening but wondering if our grass is sucking up all the nutrients the tree needs or if the root ball I dug was too small.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
0
Posts
One possibility is that it has "Silver leaf", a fungal disease which usually enters by pruning at the wrong time. Is there any possibility that the tree has been pruned between Autumn and Spring in the past? Plums should only be pruned during the Summer to prevent infection.
The only other thing I can think of is that a "weed 'n' feed" product has been used on the lawn which won't have done the tree any good. Lawns with trees in should still be fed but not with products containing weedkillers.
Thanks Bob. Pruning should be ok as I've tried to follow good practice. I have used weed and feed on the grass so that could quite possibly be the answer...I'll obviously not to add to the grass from now and hope the tree recovers.
I would also tickle a bit of blood, fish and bone into the surface of the soil at the base to give the tree a good general feed which may help it recover, Craig.
Thanks Bob