Ohhh my plumbs

[Dagmar]

My father never pruned plums other than to remove dead or diesed wood, he maintained that it was pointless as the tree did what it wanted anyway. We had some huge plum trees that all needed supporting when they had a heavy crop, but they were a terrible mess to look at!

[chestnut]

imho - dead wood in old plums is the start of the downward curve

 

they crop less - become bedraggled - and inevitably start to split

 

the propping up of limbs is useful - but they will / could split and then die if not looked after

 

dieback in plums is common - so thinning out and clearing away the chit - is as far as i am concerned good practise

[bob]

ive got 22 plums on my tree

1st year none

2nd year 3

this year 23 but my son had to try one last night thinking i would not notice

he is now grounded till all fruit has been eaten by ME

[chestnut]

before the wasps get em

[Dagmar]

before the wasps get em

 

Seen very few wasps this year, I know there's still time, but still, hardly any at all.

[RPA]

My father never pruned plums other than to remove dead or diesed wood, he maintained that it was pointless as the tree did what it wanted anyway. We had some huge plum trees that all needed supporting when they had a heavy crop, but they were a terrible mess to look at!

 

 

 

Thanx for your input of knowledge:thumbup1:

 

I only ever prune them to retain form against the fence, remove damage, etc.

 

I should really have thinnned out a bit this summer but it has been one of them years.

[Mr Ed]

Seen very few wasps this year, I know there's still time, but still, hardly any at all.

 

 

Really? We are being totally overrun with wasps here this year. I have killed hundreds in the house in the last few weeks. Been stung a few times too - the other night one crawled up my trouser leg and stung me on the thigh:mad1: