Shaping the crown of a plum is considered to be quite an important and difficult task. If pruned incorrectly, the tree will yield a meager harvest. To prevent this from happening for you, I will tell you how and when to carry out the procedure. The first pruning I carried out during the planting of the tree, and now I do it systematically throughout the life of the culture.
Spring pruning
It is in the spring that I do the most important pruning. As soon as the frost ends, but the buds on the trees have not yet had time to wake up (after about March 20 - in early April), I start pruning. I cut out the damaged branches directed to the inner part of the crown on a ring, and also thin out the crown and make the shoots of the last season about 1/3 shorter. Directly these branches will bear fruit.
For five years, I have been forming a sparse-tiered crown. In the first year on a tree I measure 40-50 cm from the ground, then I separate 5-7 buds and cut off the top. In the second year, I make the first tier from the buds on top of the stem. I leave 2-4 lower branches on the drain. All the shoots growing in the part of the stem are periodically cut into a ring.
After two years, above the first tier, I form the second of two branches. If necessary, you can form a third tier.
In addition, if you wish, you can trim the foliage and create a cupped crown. In this case, no more than four main branches should be left, located from the trunk at a right angle or up to 60 °. During shaping, you need to cut out the center conductor.
Pruning in summer
I perform this procedure when planting a seedling. In this case, I cut the main trunk by 1/3, and shorten the side shoots by 2/3.
For mature trees, I prune in June-July. It is considered sanitary: I cut off frozen branches.
In addition, I cut out disease-damaged shoots on the ring. I remove the branches growing vertically, and leave the horizontal ones.
Autumn pruning
So that the plant has time to prepare for frost, I prune after leaf fall. At the same time, I shorten branches that are too long. You can also cut off the top of the plant. Additionally, I get rid of damaged and broken shoots, which I then burn.
Old tree pruning properties
As soon as new branches cease to form on old trees, with the arrival of spring I cut down the old shoots and cover the cuts with the help of a garden varnish. On the cut, other branches are soon formed, in July I remove them, leaving more powerful 3-4 shoots.
Do not prune too many old branches, otherwise the tree may die due to severe stress. I usually stretch the pruning for 2-3 years.
Pruning a columnar tree
The columnar plum has a compact crown. Fruits grow on it along the trunk, so the side branches should be cut off.
But the main trunk must not be touched, it is left unchanged. When the top freezes, additional branches are formed in its place. Usually they are cut, leaving the most developed branch.
Read also: How to properly prune strawberries after harvest
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