The best time to prune plum trees in winter (when is the best month to prune plum trees in 2 to 3 years)

Winter Pruning Time for Plum Trees

Winter pruning is essential for fruit tree management, and this is also true for plum trees. Winter pruning can prevent and treat pests and diseases, as well as control the nutrients consumed by their growth and allow the tree to transmit light, so reasonable pruning is very important.

Plum tree pruning is mainly divided into dormant pruning and growing season pruning , and the current stage is dormant pruning.

Pruning from the time the plum tree leaves fall to the time before it sprouts in spring is called dormant pruning or winter pruning . Controlling the best pruning time will help the wound heal faster and achieve better results.

The best time for winter pruning of plum trees is about 20 days after leaf fall and before buds sprout, which is the period from early January to mid-February in the Gregorian calendar.

Pruning during the dormant period can adjust the distribution of nutrients in the tree, rejuvenate the tree and restore its vigor in time, thus coordinating the relationship between reproductive growth and vegetative growth. It can also make the spring shoots of the following year grow strong and the flower organs develop strong.

Plum tree pruning diagram

Young tree pruning

Plum trees that are 2 to 3 years old are considered young trees. Usually, after 3-4 years of continuous pruning, young trees can basically form a reasonable tree structure.

In summer, pruning of young trees usually involves cutting off side branches and extra small branches . In winter, pruning of young plum trees is mainly done by light pruning and slow release .

When selecting and cultivating the main and side branches and completing the shaping, attention should be paid to balancing the tree vigor. In order to fill the space, ease the tree vigor, and increase the early yield, more auxiliary branches can be appropriately left.

For varieties with vigorous growth and more branches, light pruning can be done appropriately, and the angle can be opened by stroking and pulling branches. For varieties with fewer branches, heavy pruning is needed to promote branching and cultivate side branches.

For the main branches with weaker growth, the angle of their branches needs to be raised, and the extended branches should be appropriately pruned. Leaving more small branches can enhance their growth.

Plum tree pruning diagram

Early fruiting tree pruning

The purpose is to shape the overall shape of the plum tree, expand the range of the crown and cultivate as many fruiting branches as possible. Prune diseased and insect-infested branches, overlapping branches, overcrowded branches, etc., reduce branch density, improve ventilation conditions for plum trees, increase light and save nutrients .

Do not cut too many branches too short to avoid causing excessive growth. Observe the growth direction and position of branches inside the crown, and try not to cut as long as the direction is appropriate.