I have a Victoria Plum Tree that was planted in the wrong position, it has been in the ground three years and has never fruited despite having another plum tree within pollination distance. I have decided to move it and wandered if any one has any advice on the best way to achieve a successful rehoming. I thought November time but am unsure whether to cut back branches or leave in tack.
Appreciate any guidance I can get.
Many thank Susiebelle
If it were me I would leave it in tact if you can although you are bound to break a few branches but try not to. The reason for this is that unlike apples plums need pruning when the sap is rising and the tree is producing gum in the plant tissues to avoid silver leaf spores entering the tree which will enter open wounds. Prune it in June next year if you really need to.
I would also wait to move it when the soil is fairly wet so that it doesn't suffer too much stress and of course you will need to take as much of the rootball as possible. But don't be surprised if you don't lose it as Victoria plums are very susceptible to silver leaf.
Good luck.
In order to get a greenhouse in for me my family moved a whole corner planting of trees right in the heat of summer this year, there was no option to wait, among the trees moved was an Asian Pear, not a plum but it was 5 years old. We dug a huge huge hole, used soil amendments in it, filled it with water before we tried to dig it up. it took a long time and it took four of us to lift it when free due to the size of the root ball. We were certain we would lose it but it kept going and it fruited as usual, we moved it in July right in the middle of the heatwave. We also moved a s Silver Birch,a Burning Bush, a Lilac and a Magnolia among others and they have all made it.
We didn't cut anything off on any of the tress just moved them as they were, I believe the lilac had blossom on it.
I am not suggesting that you move your plum at the wrong time but simply to say that trees a re a lot more resilient than I would have thought
XX Jeannine
Many thanks to both for your insight - be bold and give it lots of TLC
meant to say 'rather than welly'
I think you might be being impatient, I think the take quite some time to get going. I remember giving mine a firm talking too. I do remember being surprise when my tree suddenly produced fruit, though in the end it died of silver leaf.
Yes...plums do tend to take bit longer to get established than apples and pears. Also it is not all about the age of the tree...if the roots are not established, it is not able to feed the top and make fruit..once you have moved the tree you are delaying the fruiting again as it will set the tree back at least for another year.
If you must move it..do it once the tree has dropped its leaves and the ground is moist..tough thorough watering of the planting hole will help too...and I agree with previous posts about pruning, leave it until next year if you must/need to do any.
many thanks - lots to think about!