- Young Trees (First 3-5 Years): Prune in early spring before buds start breaking to shape the tree and establish a strong structure.
- Mature Fruiting Trees: Prune in mid-to-late summer (July-August) after fruiting to maintain size and improve air circulation, minimizing the risk of infections.
- Winter Pruning (Avoided in Wet Climates): In areas with high humidity, pruning in winter can expose the tree to silver leaf disease, a common fungal infection.
3. How to Prune a Plum Tree
A. Pruning Young Plum Trees
The goal is to develop a strong framework with an open-center shape for optimal light penetration.
- Choose 3-5 strong, evenly spaced scaffold branches and remove all others.
- Trim the central leader to encourage outward growth.
- Cut back branches by one-third to stimulate new shoots.
