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plum-tree-split-full-of-fruit
Hi there, I have a plum tree tree approx 5 years old, that has spit and one of the main branches is hanging. It first snapped about 2 weeks ago, and it was strapped back together with cable ties. Now the pressure has again got too much and it has snapped above the cable ties. There's not much room left to spint as it's a junction between two main branches.
The tree itself has flourished this year, producing ALOT of fruit, which is still 1-2 weeks away from cropping. If we lose this main branch, I fear we'll lose about half the crop. Is there anyway we can save the fruit?
I understand that the fruit should have been selected, and smaller fruit should have been removed to reduce weight, but sadly this never happened. Can anyone help? Thanks.
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When we had a young Victoria plum tree we kept an eye on the branches and as they began to get weighed down with fruit we supported them with clothes props
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Well - none of us is perfect. How boring life would be if we were. Wb's advice sounds pretty good. Look on the bright side Hover - tons of plum crumble!!
Can I have custard with mine?
The clothes prop idea is brilliant Dove
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Now that's just what Hover wanted to hear SD.
Bit of a Job's Comforter aren't you.
Find yourself a good strong sturdy branch with a fork at the top and prop it for now as you see on old mulberrys etc in London. Then when you have your fruit and the weight is reduced try and tape it back together for now. It is the worst time to prune a plum. It will be open to infection by "silver leaf" if you do it now.
I think we should try to be a bit more tactful in our replies (Please note Smokin Donkey)this was a perfectly reasonable question by someone new to the forum,advice was asked for not some sort of semi lecture.
Yes we can all be wise after the event,but when you are new to gardening mistakes do happen,encouragment is needed not this type of reply,it is a forum and we should make new members welcome.Not be a know it all SD
Rant over.
And I'll third it. Well said Gilly.
ditto
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you Waterbutts,TT and Fairygirl,......I just thought it needed saying,it made me quite angry.
"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new" Albert Einstein.
Can we safely assume that SD knows it all?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thats what I'm trying to say. Any pruning should be done no later than July or the break will not have healed up enough to get through the winter