Plum trees need to be pruned once a year to keep them in good shape and produce abundant fruit. Timing is important, because pruning at the wrong time can invite disease to the tree. See Step 1 to learn how to prune a plum tree so that your tree can grow strong and beautiful.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Pruning Young Plum Trees
Step 1. Prune when the tree is dormant
Inactive pruning is the pruning of trees during late winter, when no new growth occurs and the tree has no leaves. Pruning when the tree is dormant promotes vigorous growth in spring, and it is less likely to cause damage to the tree than pruning in the summer.
- If possible, prune in late winter before new growth emerges, as extreme freezing temperatures after pruning can damage the tree.
- Summer pruning can be used to slow down the growth of an oversized tree.
Step 2. Cut your tree to size after planting
It is very important to prune young trees during their first dormant season to encourage good growth and proper form. Immediately after planting, cut your tree so that the remaining height is about 76.2 cm. Cut just above the shoot.
- New growth will occur in the place of each cut you make.
- Use loppers (long-handled shears for pruning plants) to make clean, sharp cuts. The jagged edges of the cut make the tree susceptible to pests and diseases.
- After this first pruning, you can paint the tree with white latex paint to keep it out of the sun and protect it from pests.
Step 3. Create a circle of scaffolding
Select four branches that are evenly distributed around the tree to serve as the "circle of scaffolding" of the tree. These branches are used to frame the shape of the tree and keep the shape of the tree in balance. Cut each of the four branches so that each branch has only 1 or 2 buds. Cut just above the shoot. Cut the remaining shoots and other branches so that they are flush with the trunk.
During the first two years of the tree's life, prune only when the season is off and keep the scaffold circle 25.4 cm long
Step 4. Make more scaffold circles in the third year
In the 3rd year, the tree will produce a series of strong side branch shoots. Make more circles of scaffolding evenly distributed around the tree. Cut the circle near the top of the tree into 1 bud, and leave the circle at the bottom into 2 buds. The plum tree should be shaped like a vase or Christmas tree, which allows sunlight to filter in and encourages healthy tree growth.
Step 5. Continue to trim the stems
Cut the trunk 30 cm to 60 cm long annually to control the height of the tree and encourage dense downward growth.
Step 6. Continue with this pattern until the tree reaches the height you want
For the first 3-5 years of the tree's life, keep making new circles of scaffolding and cutting the trunk when the tree is dormant. If you are happy with the height of the tree, switch to a pruning technique suitable for an older tree.
Method 2 of 2: Maintaining Old Plum Trees
Step 1. Prune off dead and diseased branches
Dead or diseased branches should be cut annually so the tree does not have to waste energy on those branches. Use a wood saw or loppers to trim the branches so they are flush with the trunk. Make sure you make clean cuts so that the tree is not susceptible to more severe disease.
Dead and diseased branches can be cut at any time of the year, as cutting them will not affect tree growth
Step 2. Prune branches that are not producing fruit
If you see a branch or two that don't seem to be bearing fruit, you can trim them. Cut them flush with the trunk, not just cutting with shoots, as new growth on the same branch tends to give the same yield.
Step 3. Cut the parasites
Parasites are new shoots that emerge from the root system around the base of the tree. Cut the shoots so that the tree's energy can be directed to the main tree trunk and not taken up by parasites. Cut any parasites that appear using loppers.
Step 4. Cut branches that cross to other branches
Each season, trees tend to produce new branches that cross over existing branches. It is very important to prune the tree carefully so that no transverse branches remain. Transverse branches make the tree lush and prevent sunlight from filtering through the branches. They also block airflow and can make your tree susceptible to disease and pests.
Step 5. Prune in summer to prevent growth
If your plum tree is too large for your yard, you can prune it in the summer to slow its growth. While pruning in the dormant period encourages rapid growth in the spring, pruning in the summer deprives the tree of energy and limits the tree's growth for the season.
- If you are pruning in the summer, be careful not to make too many cuts. Pruning during the summer makes the tree vulnerable to cold temperatures when winter arrives.
- Be careful, pruning in summer can allow your tree to channel energy for leaf growth rather than for fruit production.
Tips
- If you prune when the weather is wet, the plum tree can be at risk of silver leaf disease (a disease caused by fungus).
- Use pruning paint on cut branches to prevent disease.
- The best time to prune plums is in early spring or early summer when the weather is dry. Do not prune in winter (to avoid silver leaf disease).
- If you have a plum tree that is planted like a fan, you will need to shape it when you cut it. Cut the new side shoots until 6 leaves remain.
Warning
- Avoid pruning in the middle of summer as your plum tree will channel all of its energy into dense leaf growth rather than fruiting.
- Remove all tree cuttings to avoid transferring disease.
