Plum Trees

Grow your own plums with a plum tree in your garden

Plums are packed full of nutrients that rival other superfoods such as blueberries, making them a healthy addition to your diet. Homegrown plums are renowned for being much juicier and sweeter, and they also make excellent fillings for pies and jams!

When should I prune plum trees?

Unlike apple trees and pear trees, plum trees don't need regular pruning. You can train your plum tree to grow in certain shapes or to encourage growing fruit, however, they are low maintenance. You should prune in early spring for young trees and in the middle of summer for established, more mature trees. If you prune them in winter, they could be prone to infection of silver leaf disease.

Wondering how to prune a plum tree? Using a sharp pair of shears, you can cut back any branches to limit how high or wide it grows. A goblet shape is generally preferred for these fruit trees.

How long does it take for a plum tree to bear fruit?

It can take a plum tree between 3 and 6 years to grow fruit whereas dwarf varieties can bear fruit a few years sooner. Plum trees typically grow fruit between the months of June and September.

What is the lifespan of a plum tree?

Plum trees, when planted with good drainage and enough sun, can live between 10-25 years. In rare cases, some can live to 30 years. To get the most out of yours, make sure you care for it properly in propagation and maintaining it when it is mature.