To remove branches cleanly, first make a vertical cut halfway through the underside of the branch about 18 inches out from the trunk. This can stress the tree and will deprive it of food by reducing the leaf area. If you want to thin out the branches, don’t remove more than 20% in one season. Look out for branches that are rubbing against each other and keep the branch that is going to maintain the shape of the tree you want. Start with the dead or dying branches (crown clearing) before moving on to healthy branches. You will then need to choose which branches to remove. You will need a pruning saw for branches thicker than 4 to 6 inches but smaller branches and shoots can be removed with loppers and secateurs. Then, in late July, shorten the leader branches and side branches to 20cm and 15cm as before.īefore you begin, make sure that you have a set of clean, sharp tools. In late June, remove any competing vertical leaders.

You can then simply cut back the leader each May by an inch to maintain the correct height. Repeat this process every year until the tree has reached 8 feet (or 6 feet if on a Pixy roofstock). In April, you can work on the central leader branch, shortening it by two thirds. Cut each branch back to a bud that is growing either downwards or outwards.Ĭut side branches back to 15cm (6 inches). In late July of their first summer, after the young shoots have stopped growing, shorten branches to 20cm (8 inches). Pyramid-shaped plum trees are kept to between 6 and 8 feet in height and should be pruned in both spring and summer to maintain their shape. Over time, bush-shaped plum trees can grow to between 10 and 15 feet depending on the rootstock used.

The aim should then be to keep the centre of the tree open by removing any vertical branches and, where branches are rubbing, cutting back the one that is growing in the ‘wrong’ direction. The stem should be kept bare by removing suckers and rubbing out buds up to a height of 75cm (2.5 feet). The bush shape is by far the most common. Where a lot of pruning is required, this should be spread out over several years.Īpart from these basic guidelines, the specific pruning method you use will depend upon the shape of your tree. You should also start with removing any dead, dying or diseased branches as they serve no purpose. As with all pruning, you should first make sure that your tools are sharp and well-maintained and that you can carry out the work safely.

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