The Best Time and Method for Pruning Plum Trees Explained in Detail

The plum is a very sour fruit to eat. For many people, the first impression of eating a plum is a sweet-and-sour taste, but once it is ripe it no longer tastes very sour. Plums are the fruit produced by the plum tree. When growing plums, everyone will find that in addition to the usual day-to-day water and fertilizer management of the plums, we also need to carry out overall pruning work on the plum tree. Pruning is very important for the growth of the plum tree, so below Shuashuai will explain to everyone how to prune a plum tree!

I. When to Prune a Plum Tree

Each year, pruning of the plum tree is mainly carried out in two seasons, and the two pruning methods are different. They are in summer and winter respectively. Let us continue reading below.

1. Summer pruning

In summer, pruning must be done three to five times in total. When pruning, we must first understand what our targets for pruning are, because our first pruning is in early summer, that is, when spring is about to pass. The targets to be pruned the first time are buds that have not grown in a good position, the weak bud of double buds, and ineffective branches. Things like these are all redundant branches. After cutting them off, they can bring a lot of nutrients to the other branches. The second pruning is when its flowers fall, and the third pruning is after the flowers drop. Pruning can control the density of the branches.

2. Winter pruning

Winter pruning is only a supplement to the previous pruning. It has no other purpose; it is simply to keep the growth of the branches balanced and to keep the plum tree balanced as a whole.

II. Pruning Methods for Plum Trees

1. Pruning when young

The first is the plum tree in the early stage of planting. At the beginning, the plum tree is in a vigorous growth period, and the growth speed and growth trend of the branches are very fast. The trunk part grows very quickly, so our pruning purpose is mainly to gradually steer it toward growing into a good tree shape. Because we need to ensure the early fruit yield of the fruit tree, our pruning intensity must not be too heavy. Let the branches normally loosen nutrients to all parts, and keep the growth of the whole tree balanced. In addition, cut off some one-year-old short branches, so that more medium and short branches can grow out.

2. Pruning in the early fruiting stage

After the plum tree has been planted for two to three years, it will move from the young stage into the fruiting stage. At this time, the yield can roughly already be predicted. The purpose of pruning in the fruiting stage is to make the overall form of the plum tree grow better and to let the branches grow thicker and wider. In addition to pruning, we also need to pay attention to environmental conditions. When pruning, try to shorten the skeletal branches, so that the density of the branches can be reduced.

3. Pruning in the full fruiting stage

After the fruiting stage comes the harvesting stage, so our purpose of pruning at this time is mainly to improve the transport of nutrients. In the full fruiting stage, the nutrient consumption of the plum tree is very large, so we should cut off as many unnecessary branches as possible to reduce the occupation of nutrients, and use more nutrients for the development of the fruit, so that the fruit grows larger and better. The main thing is to cut away the main and side branches, so that the branches of the plum tree can grow better, and it can also reduce part of the nutrient consumption. The later the stage, the more it tends toward a perfect tree shape and the more it promotes fruiting.

4. Pruning in the aging and renewal stage

The last is pruning after the fruit is picked. At this time the tree is at the stage of aging and decline. It will gradually shed its leaves, fruit yield will decrease, and the branches will become old and withered. What we need to do at this time is to ensure that the branches can renew faster and grow new branches. The main focus is pruning the trunk, so that the trunk can grow new branches as soon as possible, promote its fruiting ability, and grow new fruit sooner.

The above is the time and method for pruning plum trees. The purpose of pruning a plum tree is different at each stage, so the targets of pruning are also different. If pruned well, the effect on its growth and development is very great. However, everyone should not prune excessively; control the number of prunings at each timing. To learn more related information, please continue to follow Qinnong Network!