Prune a Plum: [Importance, Season, Tools, Considerations and Steps]

The pruning of the plum tree is one of the main cares that we have to assume if we are looking for a healthy tree that is full of fruits.

Its execution will start from the conditions of each tree but assuming that they all have more or less similar needs.

For example, a good flow of air and light is essential for general health and this is easily achieved by removing some branches.

It should be noted that it is a task that must be well planned because an error could be harmful. So we have done the homework and we provide you with all the points that you must take into account if you want to move forward safely on this topic.

Why prune the plum tree?

Plum pruning will respond to several reasons: health, production and morphology. In the case of health, the idea is to eliminate the parts that are in poor condition within its structure.

It is necessary to improve aeration and the passage of light, which reduces the chances of diseases or pests. This last advantage is coupled with an aspect of productivity, because the light also makes the photosynthesis process advance more efficiently and thus the tree will generate more and better branches and fruits.

In fact, the presence of just the right number of branches encourages the nutrients to concentrate in the most productive areas and the fruits to be of higher quality. This also means that external nutrition processes, such as fertilization, will be better used.

In the case of morphology, pruning helps the tree look better. Lastly, it makes it easier to control the height and harvesting of fruits at the time they occur.

When is it better to carry out pruning of plum trees?

The best thing to do to prune a fruit tree such as a plum is to wait for the vegetative pause cycle that occurs at the end of autumn.

The idea is to ensure that the tree has very little internal work to maintain itself and therefore concentrates only on healing the wounds.

This is the most aggressive pruning because the plant will heal its wounds and return to its growth process the next spring. In some cases it is necessary to apply a pruning during the time that the tree is in full productive work.

This is a pruning that is usually gentle and is aimed at removing some very specific branches that are causing problems for good production.

What tools should we use when pruning plum trees?

Pruning will be done with large gardening shears and a handsaw in cases where the tree is already an adult and has very thick branches.

Each of these tools must be well disinfected and repeat the process with each plant that is going to be used. Another important point is to use the corresponding safety implements, such as gloves and glasses.

What considerations should we take into account when pruning plum trees?

Defining the objective of the pruning is the main consideration that must be taken to ensure that everything goes as it should.

After this, it will be convenient to assess the entire tree structure to know which path to follow regarding the objective that you have defined at the beginning.

How to prune plum trees without damaging the tree?

To prune plum trees you have to establish the objective that you hope to meet according to the age and conditions of the same.

formation pruning

It is the one that is carried out when the tree is young and just beginning its growth cycle. This is a pruning that is carried out in late fall.

Here it will be necessary to define the height of the main branch based on what you are willing to occupy the place where it is planted.

The cut must be oblique, not straight, on a bud and it is essential to apply a healing agent to promote its faster improvement.

Secondary branches will be pruned to half their length in this first phase. Then you will have to shape the tree through the secondary branches that you consider to be stronger.

It is important in these prunings to make sure to eliminate the sprouts and branches that are weak or that already show that they will not contribute anything.

production pruning

It is a pruning that seeks to improve the conditions of the tree so that it is capable of producing more fruits.It is carried out as soon as the production ends, that is, in green during the summer days.

The first step will be to eliminate all the parts that do not fulfill any function within the structure, such as dry branches, suckers and sprouts.

You have to assess if it has a good flow of light towards the interior and, if not, prune some branches to lighten it. After that, parts of some branches can be cut to allow them to form a new, more productive structure.

With these steps, your plum tree will always be in the best conditions and you will be happy consuming its delicious fruits.

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