Need some 2nd year Plumb prunning guidance.

9 years ago

I put an alderman plumb (and some others) in last spring of last year and trying to be a good first time arborist I refrained all pruning. I'd prefer to do the same this year but the plumb (and a persimmon) developed some really low branches late in the summer. Since they are pretty low on the trunk I'm consider that they are water sprouts and should be removed. They aren't super vertical in their growth, nor are they super low on the truck. I just need a little help being sure as to whether they are water sprouts to be removed immediately, or if they are beneficial low growing branch that should be treated at "temporary branches."

Here are some pics:

As you can see there are a number of low branches and just a few inches above them is a much larger branch that was on the tree when I put it in last spring. The low branches popped out and grew that much just since mid summer last year.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

Quinn (ZONE 6 CHICAGO)
9 years ago
Here is a photo of how I would prune it. Yes, those branches are water sprouts and will be taking valuable nutrients from the main part of the tree. It will not do well in fruiting since they are so low that sunlight will have a difficult time reaching it.

The photo shows I cut all of the water sprouts and made a few pruning cuts at the top of the tree to promote the balance of the tree and develop the sturdiness of the remaining balances so they will hold fruit well. Every spring before leafing its a good idea to remove up to 1/3 of the trees to promote better structure and air flow.

I would also remove a bit of the dirt around the base of your tree, the grafting point to check to see if there are any suckers below the graft. You planted the graft too close to the ground, but should not be a major problem if you occasionally check for growth below the graft.
Daniel Central IN, Zone 6a thanked Quinn (ZONE 6 CHICAGO)
Daniel Central IN, Zone 6a
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for pruning guidance. I've done a lot of reading but a real life example is much more beneficial. So on the water sprouts would it have been better to chop those the summer they grew? I refrained because I was thinking it's a bad idea to prune during the first year.

On the graft union. The pics don't show it but I removed a bunch of the mulch around the tree after taking the pictures. There are serious roots right at the surface so I don't think it could have been put in much shallower. Either way I'll be sure to keep an eye on it.
Related Professionals
Belleville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Southaven Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · McAllen Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fort Smith Landscape Contractors · Alexandria Landscape Contractors · Enid Landscape Contractors · Torrington Landscape Contractors · Leominster Landscape Contractors · Lebanon Landscape Contractors · Cape Coral Home Additions · Waycross Home Additions · Wheeling Home Additions · Grand Junction Home Additions · Medford Home Additions · Seattle Home Additions