My vote would be strong pruning at ground level. Or as close as you can get.

Seriously, that tree is beyond redemption. Purple leaf plums tend to be short lived under the best of conditions and are prone to a whole host of disease issues: cankers, galls, bacterial leaf spot, shothole, powdery mildew and viruses just to name a few, and that tend to make their appearance disagreeable even early on in their lifetime.

Best just to remove and start over. But I'd pick something else to plant in its place.

Ok, prognosis doesn't sound good. Thanks for feedback though.

That is an old, old tree that has been hacked at repeatedly over the years.

It's a good example of why you need to learn how to prune before you start whacking off limbs.

IF you want to amuse yourself and spend some money hire someone who knows how to prune and have them go at it. Clear out the weeds and mulch it.

But gardengal48 knows best so it's likely an exercise in futility, but if you're interested then have at it.

I doubt it is that old :-) Purple leaf plums rarely live much beyond 25 years.

My vote would be strong pruning at ground level. Or as close as you can get.

==<<>>> yeah. and dont forget the stump killer..

POS trees that barely last 10 years... i ran thru 4 of them over about 40 years... if it wasnt gummosis.. it was black knot ... winter die back .... etc ...

look like a great view there. any idea why someone randomly planted a purple leafed plum in the middle of nowhere???

ken

Thanks everyone for the feedback and discussion.

Ken, I suppose the photo makes it look like the tree is in the middle of nowhere! However, it is actually just on a small hill on my property.

We actually have at least 7 of these same species of trees on our property. It seems like they are all roughly the same age. With the exception of this one and another, they all seem to be doing alright. I'm sad to hear that these trees don't seem to be that hearty or live for very long. I'm not looking forward to having them die one after another. The pink spring flower blooms are actually quite a sight. But I'd probably trade that in for health and longetivity.