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damson tree pruning

nturnbull52nturnbull52 Posts: 2
in Fruit & veg
my damson tree has got out of hand and I would like to reduce it's height and spread.  Is this the right time? Can I wait until fruit has been harvested?
Thanks for any advice

Posts

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 22,682
    This is the right time.

    Do the job in stages. Maybe this summer trim out crossing branches and leave it at that.

    Make clean cuts with a sharp pair of loppers or secateurs. Don’t leave any snags or torn bits of bark.

    Next year return with your sharp and shjny loppers and reduce the height of the tallest branches and stop.

    Don’t try to do it all in one go. The tree will think it’s being attacked (it is), will panic and send out loads of replacements leading to new problems.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    What are replacements? My OH did this drastic prune to our damson tree about 2 years ago, without telling me, and it hasn’t fruited since, it has lots of new bushy growth and is almost as big again but no fruits. Sad. I’m hoping it will recover by next year.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 22,682
    “replacements” = “new bushy growth”.🙂
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Yep, that’s what happened to mine @pansyface, I was not best pleased when I saw it. Hopefully it comes back next year.
  • nturnbull52nturnbull52 Posts: 2
    Thanks - very helpful. Be following this advice This week
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