How to Force a Dormant Plum Tree to a Bud

If you have a new bud-grafted plum tree, you'll have to force it out of dormancy. Budding usually takes place in late August, and the tree is allowed to lay dormant for the winter. When spring arrives, however, you will force your plum tree to bud. Forcing is essential to ensuring your plum tree grows into a healthy, high-yielding fruit tree. The process is straightforward and requires little time, but the benefits will last for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Allow the grafted bud to start growing; this usually begins to happen in early spring.

2. Locate the growing bud graft on your plum tree.

3. Cut off the branch just above the bud graft. This will force the new tree to bud.

Tips & Warnings

• If you live in a warmer climate, you may complete the budding and forcing process in a single season if you begin in early June.

References

• Stone Fruits
• Grafting and Budding Fruit Trees
• "The Encyclopedia of Fruit and Nuts;" Jules Janick and Robert E. Paull; 2008