No Fruit On Plum Tree - Ask Extension
We have a mature Italian plum tree in our back yard. Fifteen years ago, when we moved here, it produced fruit. Some years more bountiful than others...
Knowledgebase
No Fruit On Plum Tree #878101
Asked July 21, 2024, 11:16 AM EDT
We have a mature Italian plum tree in our back yard. Fifteen years ago, when we moved here, it produced fruit. Some years more bountiful than others. The last there years there has been very little to no fruit at all. Right now I don't see a single tiny fruit on the tree and all the blossoms are dried up, yellow, still hanging on the tree. My guess is that global warming has caused the tree to bloom earlier than it used to, before most of the honeybees and other pollinators show up. Thus, little to no pollination, little to no fruit. That's just my guess. It could easily be something else. What I don't know about fruit trees is a lot. Any advice appreciated and thanks for providing this WONDERFUL service.
Jackson County Oregon
Expert Response
According to nursery descriptions of Italian Plum, it is at least partially self-pollinating. It is widely grown in the Northwest, usually blooming in late May and fruiting in August. So--your tree is 15 years old (not terribly old for plums) but single. They do much better with a friend--i.e., another Italian plum to pollinate. They are not subject to much in the way of disease or insect infestation. However, they do fruit better when light pruning (no pun intended) results in some new growth , which may have more desire to fruit than some of the older branches.And while I do believe in global warming, that's not what's going on with your tree. Italian plums are hardy plants; there may be problems with pollination (i.e. fewer bees) but I don't think that's your problem. Give it some careful, selective pruning and see what happens next year.
On 7/24/24 10:32 AM, Extension Foundation wrote:
There is no question under the above. The question on the prune tree (Italian Pl;um) was answered on time.
