Thinning out Plum trees

[anemone]

I have an area in my allotment that's overgrown mainly with lots of plum trees. Three or so big ones with loads of little ones that must've grown from fallen plums over the years. I left them this year to see what they did and what type they were. Most of them bore plums and they were really nice :)

However they are all on top of each other and I don't really know where to start in thinning them out. Does anyone have any tips? How much space should there be between trees?

[anemone]

[realfood]

The little trees you mention probably grew from suckers which come up from the roots from the big trees. Plums and Damsoms both do this and it is best to remove the suckers.
How far apart? Well that depends on the height and width of the main plum trees. If the plum trees have grown too tall to pick the fruit even with a step ladder, I would be inclined to prune the top branches to a max of 3m. Ideally, the side branches between the main trees, should not touch. Do not prune in Winter because of the danger of disease.
You will find more information on pruning plums on my website. Go to Fruit>top fruit> plums.

[anemone]

Thank you, your website has loads of useful information on it! You're right most are suckers, so i'll clear them out first and see whats left. Only one tree is too tall but all of them have branches that touch, my little boy calls it his jungle :)

Is it too late to do that this month? They fruited way back in July/August, so should I wait until spring now?

[realfood]

You should be alright to *prune* ;D plums this month.

[grawrc]

Plums are very susceptible to silver leaf virus which enters the plant through wounds  or tears in the bark particularly in cold and /or wet weather. Because of this they are normally pruned in the summer. If you really want to prune now, make sure your loppers/pruning saw are scrupulously clean and seal all cut edges with Arbrex.

[manicscousers]

we only ever prune plums and cherries in summer

[davee52uk]

We have these throughout our allotments. They produce yellow plums - you'rwe not another forum contributor form Leamington Allotments are you?

Anyway, I try to keep them at least six feet apart. I prune them in Winter with the apples - I know I shouldn't but as there are so many of the trees I don't really mind if they get silver leaf. I've never had that problem, but have problems with maggots - which is another story.

I try to avoid crossing branches and branches that shade each other. Lately I have decided that trees should be user friendly and not grow too high, so will limit the height for ease of picking.

As well as pruning the branch, I found it is important to remove half of the fruit as this cuts down the maggots and also stops branches breaking under the weight of fruit.

[anemone]

Yes they sound the same, lots of yellow plums. I'm not from Leamington though :)

I did think that as well, that losing a few wouldn't matter.  There are also some bigger ones so I think I'll make those picking height and maybe leave a few of the smaller ones. The whole area is only 20ft long or so and I really couldn't tell you how many seperate trees are growing atm.

Actually I don't even need the 5-6 plum trees I'll be left with but I don't want to cut too many down, just the 'right' spacing for them to be healthy.

Anyway I figure I'll wait until next summer now. I've thought of too many other jobs to do now - I'm trying to squeese in some raspberries and fruit bushes somewhere before it gets too late :)