Knowledgebase

Brown Rot on Plum Tree #874620

Asked June 25, 2024, 11:55 AM EDT

We have one prune plum tree. It had some brown rot two years ago, but not last year. It is back this year. This season's plum production on our tree is the most I have seen. The tree is maybe 15 years old and about 2 stories high. I am wondering if we should do a severe pruning of the branches or try to cut out just the infected branches. (We do cut out one or two dead branches every spring.)

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hello Kathryn, 

Thanks for reaching out! This UMN Extension article has some great tips on managing brown rot (scroll down to "How to manage brown rot" section): https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/brown-rot-stone-fruit

Make sure to keep your tree, and the surrounding area, clean. Pick up any fruit that falls during the summer, and harvest all fruit in the fall. Pruning is recommended for any diseased wood (as you have done in the past. If keeping your orchard clean and pruning out the diseased wood does not help in the following years, fungicides may be useful. The article lists ones to try -- remember if you use a chemical, always follow the label instructions attached to the container you are using. The label is the law. 

I hope this helps!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 27, 2024, 2:24 AM EDT

Loading ...