Why is my native MN plum tree developing plums that are hollow? - Ask Extension
I have 2 plum trees in my yard. A SD hybrid tree and a native MN tree. The SD one is a self fertilizing and I have read and heard that the native MN i...
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Why is my native MN plum tree developing plums that are hollow? #871085
Asked June 01, 2024, 5:34 PM EDT
I have 2 plum trees in my yard. A SD hybrid tree and a native MN tree. The SD one is a self fertilizing and I have read and heard that the native MN is also self fertilizing. The SD has not born fruit for the 8 years I've had it. The MN has produced fruit the last 2 years.. Last year it produced a solid small fruit that then became a larger hollow fruit. There were small brown spots on them before they started shriveling up. I thought it had been because i didn't water them well enough last year, but it happened again this year. The SD is producing some plums and are at a small stage at this point.and I am waiting to see if they shrivel up. There was a small hole and brown spot on one of the SD plums
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
The Minnesota native probably has plum pockets, which affects these native trees:
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/plum-pockets
My guess for the South Dakota hybrid is plum curculio:
https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/insect/garden/beetles/medium/plumcurculio.html
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/insects-pests-and-problems/insects/beetles/plum-curculio
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/plum-pockets
My guess for the South Dakota hybrid is plum curculio:
https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/insect/garden/beetles/medium/plumcurculio.html
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/insects-pests-and-problems/insects/beetles/plum-curculio
