Plum-less plum tree - Ask Extension
I have 2 plum trees (different varieties), one of which has not had a single plum on it in the 5 years it has been where it is, while the other has ha...
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Plum-less plum tree #870213
Asked May 26, 2024, 9:20 PM EDT
I have 2 plum trees (different varieties), one of which has not had a single plum on it in the 5 years it has been where it is, while the other has had dozens each of the last 3 years.
They are planted 10 feet apart on the Southside of my home. The bountiful one gets maybe an hour more morning sun but an equal amount less afternoon sun.
The fruitless tree doesn't get morning sun until maybe 9-10 am because of an arborvitae tree.
My questions:
First, is there such a thing as a male plum tree, thus no fruit. I was told no, but I defer to you, the Experts.
Second, if I cut down the arborvitae -- for which I have no love in the first place -- would a little more morning sun possibly be the answer?
Eagerly awaiting your answers. You folks have saved me so often!
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Tony,
A few questions: Did the tree flower? Does it flower the same time as the other tree? Do you have the names of the plum trees?
When fruit trees bloom very early as the Satsuma, Santa Rosa or Duarte and many other Japanese plums, there are very few pollinators unless we have some warm days which are few and far between in March/April. So the pollination could be poor.
There are hybrid plum varieties that are sterile but they are usually ornamental trees.
I have found over the years that trees that cross-pollinate deliver more fruit and some plums actually need another tree for cross-pollination to bear fruit.
Five years is not necessarily a long time. I had a Satsuma and Santa Rosa that did not start bearing until 7/8 years. Both being Japanese and next to one another I had assumed we would see fruit in a few years. The fact that I told the Satsuma if she didn't start bearing fruit I was going to pull her may have had some impact! (NOT!! - joking) The next year the tree was loaded. So it was 8 years before it fruited.
Asian and European plums do not cross pollinate that's why I asked for the varietal names.
It could be the weather but since you have one tree that produces yearly, I don't think that it the reason. You do not indicate that the tree in question is in poor health, has a disease or tremendous pest problem, therefore, knowing the names of the trees is important.
All fruit trees need some amendments. You can plant a green manure under the tree like vetch (it is a light weight, easy to pull) cover crop that will place nitrogen in the soil if you cut it off before it flowers. There are others like Austrian pea or some beans that do the same.
You can put a manure compost around the tree once a year in the spring and then put wood chips over it, keeping the tree moist with cool roots in the summer and drier with warmer roots in the cold months. Make sure there is a 6 inch space with no compost from the trunk.
More sunlight would be good for the tree. It also looks like it is fairly thick with limbs. You want to keep it in a vase shape but take out some of the center limbs to open it up for good airflow through the tree. This helps keep any fungal diseases at bay.
Keep your watering consistent this summer. No long periods of dry soil especially on windy hot days.
If you know the names of both plums, you can look them up to see if they are European or Japanese. Or, you can send the information in to us and we will help you with it.
Let us know and thanks for the question Tony.
A few questions: Did the tree flower? Does it flower the same time as the other tree? Do you have the names of the plum trees?
When fruit trees bloom very early as the Satsuma, Santa Rosa or Duarte and many other Japanese plums, there are very few pollinators unless we have some warm days which are few and far between in March/April. So the pollination could be poor.
There are hybrid plum varieties that are sterile but they are usually ornamental trees.
I have found over the years that trees that cross-pollinate deliver more fruit and some plums actually need another tree for cross-pollination to bear fruit.
Five years is not necessarily a long time. I had a Satsuma and Santa Rosa that did not start bearing until 7/8 years. Both being Japanese and next to one another I had assumed we would see fruit in a few years. The fact that I told the Satsuma if she didn't start bearing fruit I was going to pull her may have had some impact! (NOT!! - joking) The next year the tree was loaded. So it was 8 years before it fruited.
Asian and European plums do not cross pollinate that's why I asked for the varietal names.
It could be the weather but since you have one tree that produces yearly, I don't think that it the reason. You do not indicate that the tree in question is in poor health, has a disease or tremendous pest problem, therefore, knowing the names of the trees is important.
All fruit trees need some amendments. You can plant a green manure under the tree like vetch (it is a light weight, easy to pull) cover crop that will place nitrogen in the soil if you cut it off before it flowers. There are others like Austrian pea or some beans that do the same.
You can put a manure compost around the tree once a year in the spring and then put wood chips over it, keeping the tree moist with cool roots in the summer and drier with warmer roots in the cold months. Make sure there is a 6 inch space with no compost from the trunk.
More sunlight would be good for the tree. It also looks like it is fairly thick with limbs. You want to keep it in a vase shape but take out some of the center limbs to open it up for good airflow through the tree. This helps keep any fungal diseases at bay.
Keep your watering consistent this summer. No long periods of dry soil especially on windy hot days.
If you know the names of both plums, you can look them up to see if they are European or Japanese. Or, you can send the information in to us and we will help you with it.
Let us know and thanks for the question Tony.
