How to Prune a Flowering Plum Tree

Flowering plum trees need little maintenance.

Flowering plum trees add a splash of color to the green landscape. These purple-leaved plants feature white flowers in the spring and don't need extensive maintenance because of their mostly compact, lobe-shaped growth pattern. But, cold winter temperatures sometimes require some branches to be removed after they die.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Pruning clippers

Instructions

1. Wait until after the tree has flowered and leaves are mature before pruning. Flowering plum trees excrete large amounts of sap after being cut. Waiting until after the leaves are mature can reduce the amount.

2. Remove shoots along the lower part of the trunk. These suckers can take nutrients away from the upper branches.

3. Clip away any dead branches that have been damaged by cold weather or insects.

References

• University of Georgia Cooperative Extension: Pruning Ornamental Plants in the Landscape
• Clemson Cooperative Extension: Pruning Trees