When Can You Transplant A Japanese Plum Tree?

Plan to transplant your plum tree in early spring, before the buds come out, or late fall, after the foliage begins to drop. If your plum tree because it is not doing well in its current location, or you need the area for something else, don’t hesitate to transplant the tree.

How do you transplant a Japanese plum tree?

Hold the Japanese plum tree vertical in the hole, once you are sure it is sitting at the proper planting depth. Then, slowly scoop in a few shovelfuls of soil. Spread the soil in and around the roots of the Japanese plum tree using your hands. Scoop in more soil until the planting hole is about 1/2 full of soil.

Can you start a plum tree from a branch?

Hi Wendy, plums can be propagated from seed or from cuttings. Trees grown from seed may vary from the original parent tree, depending upon the variety. Cuttings are the best way to get a tree that is the same as the parent tree.

How long does it take for a Japanese plum tree to grow?

You may need to wait four to six years after planting a plum tree before it will produce a large crop of fruit. Those with patience enough to wait until the tree is between eight and 10 years old will see the maximum fruit production from the tree.

Can you dig up and move a plum tree?

Plan to transplant your plum tree in early spring, before the buds come out, or late fall, after the foliage begins to drop. If your plum tree because it is not doing well in its current location, or you need the area for something else, don’t hesitate to transplant the tree.

Can you replant a plum tree?

Not much is written about transplanting established plum trees, probably because most people never do it. However, if you are moving house then you may well want to move your plum tree with you. Our experience shows that a three year old plum tree on either Pixy or St Julien A rootstock can be successfully moved.

How deep do plum tree roots grow?

These feeder roots extend horizontally to the edge of the leaf canopy, or drip line, and beyond up to 1 1/2 times the height of the tree. A few anchoring “sinker” roots grow down several feet to stabilize the tree. It’s likely that your plum tree has some roots that extend 5 feet deep.

Can you cut a branch off a tree and plant it?

Choose branches on the parent tree that have grown in the past year and cut right below a bud. This cutting should be between six inches and one foot long. Just as with the softwood, you’ll dip the end in rooting hormone and plant it in a pot—but this pot should have sand in it instead of compost.

How long do Japanese plum trees live?

Plum | 10-25 years*

How big does a Japanese plum tree get?

This plum varietal will reach a height of about 12 feet (4 m.). One of the earliest blooming fruit trees, it flowers in late winter into the early spring with a multitude of aromatic, white blossoms.

Can you eat the fruit from a Japanese plum tree?

The beautiful trees, also called Japanese plums or Japanese medlars, are common here, but many Houstonians don’t realize the fruit is edible. People sometimes tell Routhier the fruit is for the birds (literally).

Can I move a plum tree in March?

The optimum time to move established trees or shrubs depends on their type; Deciduous plants: Move at any time during the dormant season from late October to mid-March. Evergreens plants: Best moved during October or late March when the soil is beginning to warm up.

How do you reduce transplant shock in trees?

Preventing Transplant Shock

1. Select and plant trees that are native to the region.
2. Plant new trees at the proper depth.
3. Water is a key ingredient for new trees to thrive!
4. Unless the soil is heavy clay or very poor quality, it is best to plant a tree with the same soil as you remove from the planting hole.

Can you cut roots when transplanting a tree?

For most plants, root pruning is recommended in the fall, followed by transplanting in the spring. This allows the plant to grow new feeder roots in the pruned zone over the winter without the burden of supporting new growth. For larger plants, you may want to root prune one year or more before transplanting.

Can you cut roots when transplanting?

Roots packed tightly in a pot don’t take up nutrients efficiently. To promote good nutrient absorption, trim the roots and loosen up the root ball before replanting. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears for this job, removing as much as the bottom third of the root ball if necessary.

How big of a tree can you transplant?

Shrubs up to 3 feet tall and trees an inch or less in diameter (measured 6 inches above the soil level) can be moved without digging a solid root ball. These and most plants three to four years old may be moved as bare-root transplants.

Where is the best place to plant a plum tree?

full sun
Plums do not do well when planted in clay-heavy soils or in locations where their roots will be constantly wet. Choose a planting location that receives full sun—6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight at the very least. Avoid planting in low areas where frost may settle, as the frost can damage your trees.

What type of soil do plum trees like?

loamy
Plums prefer slightly acid soil (pH 6.0-6.8) and thrive in lightweight loamy, well-draining soil. Plum trees grow and produce the best fruit in well-drained but moist fertile soil that is rich in organic matter, but tolerate a wide range of soils as long as water and nutrients are not limiting and soil pH is adequate.

Can you move established fruit trees?

Yes, it is possible relocating the tree will kill it anyway due to transplant shock but at the end of the day the risk is worth the effort… in my humble opinion. There are 4 main steps to relocating a fruit tree and these are: establish the new location, prune, Dig-out, and re-plant.

Do plum trees need 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.

Can you keep a plum tree small?

Pruning fruit trees encourages a good size and shape, keeps the tree productive and helps remove dead and damaged wood. Many fruit trees, such as apples and pears, are pruned in winter, but plum trees can be susceptible to silver leaf disease if pruned at this time.