The tree would become shorter
... but should balance-out from the loss of it's recently expended energy and not send up a hundred ‘new shoots,’ as if this had been done while dormant.
Now seems like a good time, actually. Just try not to damage the remaining foliage when removing the higher branches.
NW Lady said
I have an OVER BEARING plum tree. I am wondering if I can cut off whole branches that are too high for me to harvest now without harming the tree? thank you.
Alternatively you could cut off whole branches when the fruits are ripe and harvest the fruits at the same time.
Make sure you'll have a stretch of dry weather when you decide to do the cuts.
I agree with Jafar. You can open the tree to diseases if you prune during our wet weather. Wait till you have some dry weather on either side of the pruning.
I think the most important thing to think about is if your tree is overbearing every year or just this year. There are techniques to return biennially overbearing trees to yearly bearing. Cutting off a tall branch is generally not a problem. Fruit trees usually don't grow very quickly. If it's just this year, thinning is more in order. I have had so many branches break off of my plum tree that I had to put it into a shady area of my yard. It still produces a lot of plums. It just hasn't broken branches like it did in full sun.
What variety of plum do you have?
John S
PDX OR
Everybody for your replies.
Looks like a "go ahead" for me.
I don't want the tree any taller... a little shorter would be great.
It "over bears" each and every year. It is really difficult/impossible for me to reduce the fruit from the upper branches.... so I get a great deal of sm to medium fruit.
Thanks for the reminder to do it when I have some dry days following the "trim".
Thanks sooo much for all the help!
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
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