Out in So Cal we always prune in winter since it doesn't take away from active food production for the plant. That being said, we also don't get nearly as cold as you do so there may be a reason for it.

I suggest you do a google search for pruning in vermont. Your local university/USDA outreach center usually has papers on it.

You can prune them in late winter after fear of extreme cold is past- you certainly don't need to wait until they are in active growth- that's something often recommended for peaches but I've not heard it suggested as important for plums.

I've been pruning many plum trees at many sites as early as mid-Feb here in Z.6 for years and never regretted it. I did have a tree suffer once when I made a very large cut to create an open center in mid-winter but you could probably get away with smaller cuts then. I save my stone fruit for last.

Plumhill,

As I recall from a previous post your not far from me at all...shelburne/charlotte area? I am in Huntington.

I also recall you had quite a list of plums.

Would it be possible to swing by when you do your pruning and pick up some scion wood. I was hoping to graft in a bunch of stuff this spring.
I am especially looking for purple heart, but want to try some others as well.

There will be many sticks at pruning, but they likely will not be that dormant. I will pcik a few extra purple heart sticks when I gather scion wood. Purple heart may not be hardy in Huntington, as we have lost them in Charlotte before

I misunderstood, I thought you were considering winter pruning. But if you don't mind cutting some scion wood that would be much appreciated.

We put in a grove of seven from the fedco collection this spring, that should all be plenty hardy. I wanted to graft in some of the iffy prospects as scaffolds just to add diversity.

I have been told purple heart around us will be more of a when not if for winter kill, but I am also told it's a fantastic plum. And things seem to be getting milder and milder the last 10 years. At least that's how it feels up here in the mountains, down there in the banana belt by the lake could be a different story!

I wanted to try it and early golden, and have room for 2-4 others and would be grateful for suggestions.

Have already: South dakota, WAneta, La CResent, Superior, Gracious, Alderman, Underwood

Are you folks open to the public? I meant to chase the place down this summer after learning of your existence here.