Posted a few weeks ago asking for pruning advice. Im
Now torn on whether to remove the tree completely and replace with one of my potted acers or wait till summer (advice given) and prune right down in height. Just looking to see what others thoughts are?
SW, UK
by AstroZombie_88
25 Comments
keep the tree its amazing and I’m guessing its oval plums?they’re delicious. prune a bit + the tree supports alot of life in speing summer. why do you want to remove it?
Why on earth would you remove it?
Hard prune. There is still a nice plum tree in there.
Also plum blossom is nice and so are plums.
Take eight foot off the height, prune any crossing branches into a goblet shape for airflow, wait for plum harvest heaven!!
If you prune it wait til summer definitely. What’s the reasoning behind wanting to get rid of it though? Is it a shade thing or do you just not like plums
Don’t prune until between April-August to avoid silver leaf disease and or bacterial canker. Which are risks in the winter months.
As this is a mature tree really is best to prune mid summer to early September.
Key Pruning Guidelines:
Best Time: Mid-summer (July) is ideal for established trees, as they are actively growing and heal quickly.
What to Remove: Always remove the “DDD” (Dead, Damaged, or Diseased wood) first.
Shape: Aim for a “goblet” or open-centre shape to allow air and light in.
Technique: Cut back new growth on leaders to about 8 leaves, and lateral branches to 6 leaves.
Prune it, and then keep on top of it.
That will be such a fantastic tree.
Reduce the height by at least 5ft, remove any dead, crossing, and damaged branches. Thin out the rest to get good air flow.
Beechgrove and Gardeners World will have videos on how to prune properly. Both are on BBC iPlayer.
Do you know what type of plum it is?
I’d take the left and right lower branches off and prune to a goblet shape. The plums will be real. My plum tree gives nothing like shop plums but they are delicious. Tight flesh with not a lot of eating but better overall
No I wouldn’t remove it. Question is, why do you want to?
I would take it out completely. It will only get bigger and when in leaf will block view, maybe block sunlight and shade the ground below. It looks a lovely garden and plenty of opportunity which would be widened if you didn’t have the tree as a starting point.
I wouldn’t even consider removing it, it is a beautiful tree that needs a little shaping and working on.
Prune and keep then eat the plumbs
Prune it.
Its a living thing.
If I were you, I’d remove it and replace it with Japanese knotweed.
Keep and prune, mature trees are a delight.
Please keep it! Maybe just trim the height slightly and thin out sine of the weaker stems so branches are more open in the centre.
I mean, the worst that will happen if you prune is it dies, then you remove the remains, so you’re no worse off from trying.
I’d ornamental it will be lovely for an extended period, I’d bearing, it will give some lovely fruit.
A decent long-handled lopper is about £100, and will extend to about 4m… should be able to keep this to a height that that will support, which is quite low cost over the long run.
Why even remove that?
It doesn’t look too large to me, it’s a good distance from any structures, and makes a nice centre point and I’m sure it’s a great feast for insects when in flower and birds when in fruit, even if the plums aren’t particularly palatable for you!
Are neighbours complaining about the height? If so, no harm in pruning it carefully at the right time, especially if it’s casting too much shade for your liking.
I had a few overgrown plum Treen when I moved house 2 years ago. Trimmed a third of each top branch each year and they now look fantastic. Did it in December to February each year. Not sure why people are saying to do it in thr summer. Perhaps ask chat gpt haha !
Cut it down
https://preview.redd.it/xq0cctdldvgg1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=125fcee108a8496c983209789f19c277f2a2262e
I didn’t realise my finger had half slid between your two photos, and I thought your house was just so so cool! 🤣
Prune for sure! And it’s even about to be the right season. Do not get a random person who gives you a quote to do it they typically butcher them.
Pop this into r/arborists.
OK, this is going to be unpopular on here it seems:
I would remove it. Visually, it’s too big for a garden your size, especially in that position. Pruning is for shaping, not sizing. In any case, it’s in the wrong position, IMO.
Nothing in life is permanent, and this is especially true for gardening. Gardening is a journey, not a destination, and many times it’s experimental. You shouldn’t be afraid or ashamed to remove plants that aren’t working in your garden.
It looks fine, I don’t know why you’d want to remove it. It must be beautiful in spring.