But if you don’t prune your tree correctly, you can hurt it more than help it. You should prune young trees fairly heavily for the first 3 years so that they distribute less nutrients for fruiting growth and more for vegetative growth. Nederlands: Pruimenzaden planten. If you are wondering how to prune a potted fruit tree, you’ll be happy to hear that it’s not difficult. Plum trees are a gorgeous addition to any outdoor space. The tree’s age is a barometer on when to fertilize. By the time it is five years old, a plum tree (Prunus spp.) “Victoria” plums (Prunus domestica), of English origin, grow from self-pollinating, high-yield trees with vigorous growth. How to prune plum trees. The winter months, especially around February, are an excellent time to prune plum trees to insure their fruitfulness in the approaching growing season. Français: planter une graine de prune. Check out the video below to … Never Prune Plum Trees During Winter. The picture below illustrates the three steps. Click here for tips on how and when to prune fruit trees in pots. Cut back sideshoots growing from the horizontal leaders to three leaves from the basal cluster, 7.5cm (3in) long. How to prune established espaliers. Pruning fruit trees in containers is generally a breeze when compared with pruning fruit trees in the orchard. Prune young trees in spring for shape and established trees later on, to remove dead and damaged wood. A dwarf fruit tree is created when a piece of a selected cultivar is grafted to a dwarf rootstock, which then limits the mature height of the tree. Stakes or training wires may be needed depending on the type of tree form you decide to grow. May 11, 2016 "It was written so even a child could learn how to plant a plum tree from the pit. Plum tree pruning is therefore best carried out early spring to mid-summer. Plums trees are easy to grow, and with a little care and attention, produce bumper crops of juicy fruit. Pruning plum trees after planting. There are two basic types of pruning cuts: Heading cuts are made along a branch at the junction of a bud. When to prune established fans. Here’s how and when to prune your plum trees. Apple trees are among the easiest, and most forgiving, trees to prune, but plums are just as easy. If you are growing plum trees in the ground, preparing the area is the first job on the agenda. But without accurate trimming and training, these trees could be a problem instead of an asset. Leaves develop a silvery sheen, cut branches reveal red staining. European plum trees require much lesser pruning when compared to the Japanese one which have an aggressive growth rate. This leader is the newest extension of a long, upright growing trunk from which all lateral branches arise. For young trees that you are in the process of shaping, do just one pruning in early spring. How to prune plum trees. Winter is the best time to prune deciduous fruit trees such as apples, pears and plums. The reason for training and pruning is to increase fruit production and boost tree health. So, now that you know when to prune fruit trees, it’s important to how to prune your tree. Foliage – deciduous Flowering – March-April Harvest – July to September. When to Feed Plum Trees . You will have planted in winter when the tree is dormant. When you prune in the winter, you revitalize the tree and stimulate growth the following spring, whereas when you do it in the summer, you slow unruly growth and limit the size of the tree. Print; Send fan mail to authors ; Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 155,068 times. Most … Prune only as much as you absolutely need to prune, and never remove more than 25 percent of a tree's branches. Even though plum tree pruning isn’t hard, it’s crucial to know how to prune a plum tree. Height – 16 to 20 feet (5 to 6 m) Exposure – full sun Soil – rich enough. Never prune your plum tree during the winter! In fact, if you don’t thin them out, your plum tree may crop so heavily that the branches snap under their own weight! These cuts stimulate growth behind the cut. Learn how to trim one and the rest will be easy, as the base principles of pruning are the same. One simple step that often goes missing is this: prune your fruit trees on a dry, sunny day. Italiano: Piantare un Seme di Prugna. When you prune a plum tree depends, in part, on the stage of development of the tree. Pruning is an essential part of fruit tree care. Prune back any old and diseased stems to … Thinning fruits can be regarded as the first stage of pruning, as it reduces strain on the branches. Do this in early summer while fruits are still small and can be pinched out with your thumb and forefinger. These trees will fruit well whether or not they are pruned. While growth is dormant, the tree becomes more susceptible to silver leaf disease. Plums are prone to aphids, birds, caterpillars, plum fruit moth … Fertilizing plum trees without knowing whether or not it is necessary not only wastes your money, but it can result in excessive plant growth and low fruit yields. PRUNING TECHNIQUES FOR PLUM TREES This section explains how to prune a branch, the same rules apply to plum trees and other fruit trees. Don’t prune plum trees in winter as this can cause them to develop silver leaf disease. How To Plant Plum Trees. Four steps to a healthy plum tree. Cherry plums are small native or wild plums. When to Prune Plum Trees . Removing leafy growth helps to restrict the vigour of trained fruit forms. Plums need to be pruned in July and August to ensure top-quality fruit is produced consistently each and every season. Remedy. A video on pruning plum trees - Dan Neuteboom shows us two mature plum trees, one of which has been pruned badly, while the other has been pruned well. How to Prune Plums How to prune plums. This is a highly undesirable fungal disease that leads to silvering of the leaves and eventually death of the branch. Some are self-fertile and others require a pollinator. Remember to always use very sharp secateurs for a clean cut, just above a bud and sloping away from it. Here’s how to do it properly to ensure optimal fruit production in summer. These plums are much softer, juicier, and larger than their European counterparts, though the European plum trees can survive much colder conditions. The principle is to avoid damaging the collar of the branch and to make a clean cut which doesn't tear the bark. Trees should be pruned annually as growth slows down in August. Be aware that the trunk alone is not enough to ensure that the tree will survive. Gardeners may have differing opinions about the best way to prune a fruit tree, but our simple three-step process that works for the majority of fruit trees. Prune plum trees before they bloom in late winter. Prune lateral branches (branches that grow out from the scaffold branches) back to the branch collar using cuts made at 45° angles. Prune European Plum Trees to a Central Leader Shape. Plum tree is magnificent from spring to fall, and offers abundant harvests of plums.. Main Plum tree facts. Thinning cuts are made at the base of a branch, removing it entirely and reducing the amount of vegetative growth. For most deciduous trees, make sure that there are living branches on at least 2/3 of the tree, though this varies by species. If your plum tree is fairly young, go for late spring pruning. Also, prune off any branches that aren't producing fruit. In early spring (April), before bud break, prune the central leader down to about 60 cm/2 feet above the ground, ensuring that there are at least 3 buds below. How to Prune a Dwarf Plum. How to Prune Victoria Plums. How to Prune a 5-Year-Old Plum Tree. has settled into the mature form according to the training it received when young. Before getting into the best time to prune a plum tree here in the UK, it’s important to know when not to prune one. Japanese plums trees come in a variety of species, such as Satsuma, Santa Rosa, Burbank, Mariposa, and Red Ace. How to Prune Fruit Trees. Plant plum trees during the dormant season, before growth starts in late winter or early spring. Pruning plum trees… These will form the main lateral branches. Fruit trees, including plums, will absorb nutrients from the soil, especially if they are surrounded by a lawn that is regularly fertilized. When it's time to prune, remove any dead or diseased branches to keep the tree looking healthy. wikiHow Quick Video on How to Prune Plum Trees. This type of tree has a pyramidal shape with a single upright leader limb as its highest point. Summer Pruning Plum Trees. Pruning a plum tree can serve two purposes, depending on which time of year you do it. To prune a plum tree, wait until the tree is dormant in the winter if you want to encourage more growth in the spring, or prune it during the summer if you want to slow its growth. Young plum trees can be pruned during the summer months to remove the sucker limbs that sprout from the trunk but are unproductive in contributing to fruit production. Name – Prunus domestica Family – Rosaceae Type – fruit tree. Prune new branches in January. Prune a plum tree during the winter, and it could wind up with silver leaf disease. You may have to clear the area of grass, or any invasive weeds before planting, as competition can be a problem while the growing plum trees are still young. Growing plums; problem solving. Summer pruning will keep the tree manageable, and allow the fruit to ripen. Plums have varied bloom times—early spring to late spring. Winter is the best time to cut back stone fruit trees (peaches, cherries, apricots and plums) and pome fruit trees (apples, pears and quince). Once you have decided on growing plum trees, and where to place it, it is almost time to get planting. Plumcots and pluots are hybrids between plums and apricots. Jessica Shaw. See our guide below for how to trim plums into a healthy bush – the overall look you are going for is a wine glass shape. July and August is the best time to prune plums in most Northern Hemisphere locations. Bare-root plants usually establish better than container-grown trees. STEP 1 Cut a notch about 3cm deep into the underside of the branch. Pruning is the most important winter task for your plum trees. Prune fans in spring and summer on a dry day (when the risk of fungal infection is low). Common problems Silver leaf. European Plum trees do best when pruned and trained to a central leader tree. Reader Success Stories. Prunes are a type of European plum with an extra high sugar content (which allows them to be dried without fermenting at the pit). 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