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Prune Apple / Plum Trees

I have 1 x Discovery Apple with lots of small apples on it.

But the tree is growing fast with leaders(Branches) and crowding out the Apples. Can/Should I cut back the growth and if so by how much.

I also have a Victoria Plum. No sign of any plums but tons of growth on leaders (Branches). Should I do the same as for the Apple. I have never had any plums and the tree is now 6 years old. I was told to cut back branches by half as plums come on this years growth any advice.

Last edited: 30 May 2017 11:03:07

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090

    We've inherited some neglected plum trees in this new garden so I've been researching their pruning as the only thing I know is not to prune them in winter because it encourages something called silver leaf.   Here's what the RHS says - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=339

    They also have advice on pruning apples which can be done in winter - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=90 as well as this - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=858 and this - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=212 for summer pruning.

    Hope that helps.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Market BoyMarket Boy Posts: 101

    Thanks Obelixx I will take a look;

  • I don't think plums need that much pruning unless they are being trained eg as fans. The only thing to do would be to remove any dead branches or those that are crossing and rubbing others as this could allow disease to enter.

    I'm really surprised your 6 year old Victoria hasn't fruited, are you getting blossom? Because it blossoms early it can be affected by frost or lack of pollinators. Victoria is usually a very heavy cropper and the fruits often need thinning to avoid the branches breaking! In my old garden we were plagued by wood pigeons that used to descend en-masse from the fields over the road and they would strip every fruit when it was pea-sized so we never got any plums image

  • Market BoyMarket Boy Posts: 101

    Hi Merryweather. The Victoria was purchased as one of four dwarf trees. The Victoria, a Discovery Apple, a Conference Pear and a Morello Cherry.

    I have never seen any blossom and never had a single plum. But as a tree with branches and leaves it is doing fantastic. I am considering cutting it down and starting again with another Apple. All of the other trees are fine and produce good fruit.

  • gailbellgailbell Posts: 1

    Hi really need help I'm not a natural gardener but have just got an allotment, learning is a bit hit and miss but getting there. Apart from a plum tree the leaves are going black and the fruit misshapen and mildewed any help would be really appreciated.

  • Market BoyMarket Boy Posts: 101

    Sorry Gailbell.

    As you can probably tell from my posts I am not the person to ask.

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