timing of plum tree pruning - Ask Extension
Hello! I would like to do summer pruning on my old, established Brooks plum tree. I have read that after solstice is a good time for summer pruning. B...
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timing of plum tree pruning #875340
Asked June 30, 2024, 1:16 PM EDT
Hello! I would like to do summer pruning on my old, established Brooks plum tree. I have read that after solstice is a good time for summer pruning. But I have also read that plum trees should be pruned after they fruit. On my plum tree that would likely be in September. Should I really wait that long for my summer pruning?
Thanks!
Marianne
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
The best time to prune a plum tree is spring for young trees mid summer for established one. This allows the tree to recover quickly and avoids bacterial and fungal infections. Though pruning judiciously in spring after bloom insures that next year's flower buds are not removed. Can help to improve the trees vigor and fruiting.
Avoid winter pruning due to wet weather issues. Silver leaf disease etc.
Remove water shoots in early spring before they harden.
Prune for an open center allowing for max air flow, sun exposure and easier access for harvesting.
Remove weak growth, spindly growth, branches that cross over each other and dead or diseased ones. This can be done even when the tree is fruiting.
Trim other branches back to 5-6 buds.
Avoid winter pruning due to wet weather issues. Silver leaf disease etc.
Remove water shoots in early spring before they harden.
Prune for an open center allowing for max air flow, sun exposure and easier access for harvesting.
Remove weak growth, spindly growth, branches that cross over each other and dead or diseased ones. This can be done even when the tree is fruiting.
Trim other branches back to 5-6 buds.
Thank you - I am planning on summer pruning my plum but was hoping for guidance on when in the summer might be best.
Thank you,
Marianne
I woukd recommend mid July with judious pruning as I mentioned in my first response.Thank you - I am planning on summer pruning my plum but was hoping for guidance on when in the summer might be best.
Thank you,Marianne
Then later in August before rains some additional pruning. Careful not to chop off next seasons flower buds.
