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Plum Tree is overwhelmed with fruit #878169

Asked July 21, 2024, 7:38 PM EDT

Hello. Our plum tree is drooping from too much fruit. The plums are not yet ripe. Only one small branch is broken otherwise all seem to be ok, despite the drooping and bending from the fruit. Can you let me know what to do and if this is damaging the tree?

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Morining Bobbie, 

Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service. 

This could be a problem for the tree if the limbs break. For the short term, you could take some of the unripe fruit off the ends of the branches to relieve some of the weight. Or, you could just wait for the fruit to ripen and pick it. 

Please click on the following link from the U of M Extension Yard and Garden website about growing stone fruits: https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden

If you scroll down towards the bottom, it discusses pruning in late winter. To avoid this in the future, you would need to prune the tree adequately. There is pruning guidance on the website. Your tree branches need to be strong enough to hold the fruit. If you prune the tree in the future, you should be able to develop strong branches to hold the fruit. 

Good Luck!

Maureen Graber Replied July 22, 2024, 8:25 AM EDT

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