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Early 'pruning' of a greengage?

robdunfordrobdunford Posts: 9
in Fruit & veg
I have a young, about three years, greengage. It has nice goblet shape of four branches. It’s early March and all along each branch are new and small buds. Each no more than 2cm. Will it hurt the tree to ‘rub’ off the buds facing into the centre? Thinking that this will give the others more energy and save pruning when they are longer.

Posts

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,555
    Leave the buds alone. Greengages are plums and plums should not be pruned or mucked about with at any time other than high summer. In summer, they make a resin which seals the injuries and keeps out infection.

    Besides, the buds might be flower buds.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • robdunfordrobdunford Posts: 9
    Is it really pruning though? I have seen small buds rubbed of a main stem to promote more useful one.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,555
    edited March 2019
    Fair enough. Give it a go. Just google “silver leaf” before you bite the bullet.

    Here, I’ve done it for you.

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=245
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
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