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Plum Cut Ugly, need to fix

yuliana198905yuliana198905 Posts: 5
in Fruit & veg
Hello everyone,
We recently bought a house and inherited a tree with it, supposedly a plum. As you can see, it's been cut in such a way that it leans to one side and can't grow straight. Not to mention it looks very ugly. It may cause issues in the future when it grows bigger and unable to support itself, and is already an eyesore in my yard. Could you think of any way to fix it or nothing short of cutting down and disposing the whole thing?

Posts

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,569
    I’d say that the poor thing needs to be put out of its misery.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • pinutpinut Posts: 89
    The tree should be in leaf by now if the pictures are recent and you are in the UK. 

    It would have blossomed and you could have identified it from that if you were around at March/April time.

    If you want to salvage the tree then you need observe it for this year then take corrective steps next April. Just make sure that the tree is still alive and growing well, otherwise, any corrective work will be pointless.

    Next year, take pencil-thick cuttings from the top branches to use as scion material. They should be at least 10cm long with at least two buds.

    Then cut the trunk just below the two rotting branches with a saw. And, graft the scions back onto the stump. You may be able to graft on up to five or six scions using the bark graft - that will give you the basis of forming a nice goblet shaped tree in the future.



  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,779
    Or take it out ... dig and prepare the site, improving the soil if needed, and choose a replacement to buy as a ‘bare root’ this winter. 

    That’s what I would do. 😊 
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • yuliana198905yuliana198905 Posts: 5
    Thanks everyone for responding! I'll see this year if it's something i want saved and will go from there 🙂
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,779
    👍 let us know how it does. 😊 
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    If you do try and save it, you need to make some pruning cuts now and also take off all of that black tape which is only doing harm and is not helping in any way.  I would then recommend you cut off the dead parts, which are letting in disease.  I would prune where I've put the purple lines in your photo.
    Personally, I wouldn't bother as it will never make a nice tree and would hoik it out and replace with something you know you'll like. :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • yuliana198905yuliana198905 Posts: 5
    Thank you. I'll prune it, give it it's last chance this summer, but I'm personally inclined to get rid of it
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