Plum Pruning Techniques
(continued - page 6)

Pruning Standard and Bush Plum Trees
To avoid the risk of Silver Leaf Disease, always prune plum trees when they are growing strongly, mid-June is a good time.

Bush

Half-standard

Standard

The pruning of standard, half-standard and bush plum trees is the same with the exception of the height at which the main stem is pruned to encourage the formation of branches. The maiden tree main stem should be pruned in June to 1m (3ft) above soil level for a bush tree, to 1.2m (4ft) for a half-standard and to 1.9m (6ft) for a full standard tree. Thereafter, the pruning of all three forms is the same.

In the second year, the plum tree should again be pruned in June . All growth should be cut back (just above a healthy bud) to about 25cm (10in) from the main trunk. This may sound severe, but it will encourage new healthy growth next year. The new growth will come from the pruned branches. In the diagram to the right, last year's growth is shown as pink, the current year's growth as grey and the pruning points shown as black lines.
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	In the third year, the plum tree should again be pruned in June. Prune the leading shoots back to 30cm (12in) from their main stem (see points marked 1). Other shoots should be cut back to 15cm (6in) from their main stem (see points marked 2). All shoots should be pruned just above a healthy shoot. In the diagram to the left, last year's growth is shown as pink, the current year's growth as grey and the pruning points shown as black lines.

In the fourth and later years, prune in June. Cut all leading shoots back by about a third and all other shoots to 15cm (6in) from their main stem. Cut out all diseased or dead wood (and burn) and trim up any shoots which cross others. The aim is to go for a wine goblet shape. The centre of the tree should be kept un-crowded to allow air to circulate freely and let in light.

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Plum Pruning Techniques (continued - page 6)

Plum Pruning Techniques
(continued - page 6)