When to Prune a Purple Plum Tree?

Pruning can enhance the health and appearance of purple plum trees.

Both ornamental trees and fruit trees require regular pruning to keep them looking their best and producing optimal amounts of fruit. Although cutting back a tree can enhance its appearance and health, incorrect pruning can stress a tree and may leave irreparable damage. Timing and technique are important factors in keeping a purple plum healthy and prolific.

Purple Plum Tree

The purple plum tree, also called a purple leaf plum (Prunus cerasifera) is a common variety of plum tree grown in North America. These medium-sized trees produce blossoms in the spring and small, soft-skinned fruits in the late summer. Purple plum trees prefer sunny areas in moist, well-drained soils. With proper pruning, the trees maintain a rounded, compact canopy.

Initial Pruning

The first time you prune your plum trees should be when you first plant them. Young purple plum trees have fragile branches that can break during shipping and planting. Prune at this early stage to remove any broken or bent branches, removing them slightly above the area of damage. After removing the broken growth, prune the lateral branches slightly lower than the main trunk.

Annual Pruning

Annual pruning is what trains your plum tree and helps you maintain the height and encourage abundant blossoms and fruit. The best time to prune a purple plum is during the months of June and July, after the blossoming season. Cutting back your tree at this point in fruit development helps the tree direct valuable nutrients to the fruits as they develop. Use sharp shears to snip away thick inner growth that crowds the canopy. Purple plum is a sun-loving tree that requires adequate amounts of sunlight and airflow around the foliage and developing fruit. Shape the tree at this time, removing overgrown branches that extend beyond the main canopy or lateral branches that reach as tall as the central leader.

Damage Control

While annual pruning encourages abundant fruits and healthy growth, pruning throughout the season removes damaged growth before it affects the health of the entire tree. Check your tree every week or so during the growing season, examining it for signs of disease or pest infestation. Plum trees are susceptible to valsa canker, black knot, brown rot and plum pocket disease. Remove branches with mottled leaves or signs of wilt. Disinfect your pruning shears with household bleach between each cut to avoid transferring diseases between trees. Rake up any pruned vegetation. Removing it from the area will minimize the risk of fungal and bacterial growth in the soil around your plum trees.

References

• University of California; Training and Pruning Fruit Trees; Chuck Ingels, Eleanor Dong; 2000
• Arbor Day Foundation: Plum, Purpleleaf
• "Principles of Horticulture", C.R. Adams; 2008