Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil that is protected from strong winds. To get the richest leaf color and best flowering, grow in full sun. Ornamental plums can grow in shade, but the foliage will tend to remain green in shady locations. Give your plum tree plenty of space for roots as well as crown.
How long do purple plums live?
The purpleleaf plum is a relatively short-lived tree, lasting only around 20 years, and it requires a bit of maintenance.
How tall does a Purple leaf plum get?
around 25′
The purpleleaf plum grows to a height of around 25′ and a spread of around 25′ at maturity.
How do you prune a Purple leaf plum?
- Examine your purple leaf plum tree for dead, diseased or damaged branches.
- Remove downward-growing branches.
- Cut off branches that rub against other branches.
- Pinch off the growing tips of new buds to encourage lateral branching and continued growth of your purple leaf plum.
What month do you prune plum trees?
Avoid pruning plums in winter, as it increases the risk of infection by silver leaf disease to which plums and other Prunus species are prone. The best time for pruning is usually spring for young trees and mid-summer for established ones.
Why is my purple plum tree dying?
A dying or diseased plum tree can be caused by bugs or pests, rain, mildew, bacteria, hot and cold weather, frost, no pollination, too much water, or a lack of water. Plum trees are resilient trees and there are many ways to treat bugs and diseases.
Do purple plum trees lose their leaves?
Purple Leaf Hardiness
Throughout its hardiness zones, purple leaf plum drops its leaves in fall and needs no extra protection against winter lows. But at the mild end of its growing zones, unexpected highs and lows can warrant stepping in to save the clusters of 1-inch blossoms that appear before purple leaves unfurl.
How fast do purple plum trees grow?
The leaves range in color from pure purple, with some displaying a green ting. This tree has a moderate growth rate and gains about 1-2′ feet per year. It’s best planted in the early spring and autumn.
Can you eat the fruit from a purple leaf plum tree?
Fruit from ornamentals, such as crabapples and purple-leaved plums, are edible. However, the eating quality of some ornamental fruit is rather poor. These trees were selected for their ornamental characteristics rather than the eating quality of their fruit.
Are purple plum trees poisonous to dogs?
The ASPCA’s database of toxic plants lists plum trees as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses because of the cyanide content. Again, the main risk comes from the stem, leaves, and roots of the tree, and the pit of the fruit.
How long does it take for a plum tree to bear fruit?
three to six years
Plum trees typically begin to bear fruit when they are three to six years of age. Fruit develops earlier in some varieties and you even see baby plums begin to appear earlier in age.
How do you fertilize a purple plum tree?
Purple leaf plum trees tolerate some drought, although they’ll grow better with regular watering. Water them every two to three weeks during dry, hot conditions. Fertilize purple leaf plum trees in spring with 1/2 cup of 12-6-6 fertilizer if growth is slow.
How long do plum trees last?
The average lifespan for cultivated plum trees is 10 to 15 years, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s website.
Do plum trees require a lot of water?
Young plum trees need to be watered at least once a week to promote healthy root growth. Once the tree is established, it requires regular watering, especially in the dry summer months. Deeply water your plum tree once every two to four weeks.
Do plum trees fruit every year?
Fruit such as apples and plums may fruit in alternate years. This is known as biennial bearing. A generally poor crop, but vigorous growth. Performance may decline over several years.
Can you trim the top of a plum tree?
If your plum is not unreasonably tall and is basically healthy, you can leave the tree at its existing height and prune it to clear away branches that don’t bear fruit. The first branches to remove are those that are dead, damaged, broken or infected.
How do I look after a plum tree?
Grow plum trees in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Prune in summer and mulch in autumn with home-made compost or well-rotted animal manure. Harvest the plums when ripe and juicy.
What shape should a plum tree be?
Don’t prune plums in winter as this increases the risk of silver leaf infection. For a free-standing plum tree, you will be aiming at creating a bush or pyramid shape. Cordon or espalier plums require different treatment. It is also possible to remove the central leader and grow the tree in an open bowl shape.
How do you prune a plum tree for the winter?
Prune back the trunk 12 – 20 inches at a bud each year so fruit and vegetative buds concentrate in the bottom tree branches. Every year, cut out dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Also remove unproductive shoots and any crossing branches. Cut off suckers and watersprouts at their source.
What is the best fertilizer for plum trees?
For newly planted plums, fertilize in the early spring by broadcasting one cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer over an area that is roughly three feet (. 9 m.) across. In mid-May and mid-July, apply a ½ cup of calcium nitrate or ammonium nitrate evenly over an area about two feet (.
How often should a plum tree be watered?
Once every 10 days or two weeks is plenty. Worse than dry, thirsty roots is waterlogged, drowning roots. Although a little depression in the soil aids summer watering, it’s important to bring the soil around the tree up to the level of the surrounding soil for the winter.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.