My damson tree is now 4yrs old and was supposed to be a dwarf but is quite big. Due to a lack of time, I haven't been able to give it the care it needs and it is perhaps a little leggy.
I have learned the following from research:
- it is ok to prune now after the fruit.
- I should remove any end "clumps" to reduce weight
- I should take out any cross-middle branches to give it a "vase" shape
- I should remove the branches a little out of the heel for a smaller cut (not flush) - at 45degrees
- don't remove more than a third of the tree in one pruning
- take out any very acute angles to promote strength
(As yet there is no disease or dead.)
My remaining queries are:
- some of the branches are quite long and I don't think they will hold the weight of the fruit (branches on my friend's plum tree snapped due to weight), should I reduce the length and if so by how much?
- one of the main unions has a crack in it (damsons are apparently brittle) - should I take out the smaller branch and if so should I treat the end? Or do I take out the bigger one to promote lateral growth? Should I treat the crack?
Looking forward to your input. Thank you tonnes in advance!
