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Florida Gardening

Java Plum Problem

13 years ago

Help! We just moved to Boynton Beach in may. We have a mature Java Plum tree (Syzgium cumini) in the side yard near the house and hanging over the roof and our newly installed brick paver patio. The problem is the thousands of plums dropping and staining everthing. It is an incredible mess. Also the county extension office tells me that it is not a good tree for high winds. Should we remove it? Is there anyway to stop the fuiting, maybe some kind of spray? The tree is probably 40 to 50 feet high and 30 feet wide. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Sue

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Comments (6)

fawnridge (Ricky)
13 years ago
Sue - The sad side of the story is that there's nothing you can do to alleviate the problem of the fruit other than chopping down the tree. As far as high winds go, if the tree is pruned properly for hurricane season (i.e. opened up) you won't have much damage. They won't come out of the ground, but you can lose limbs, especially where there's a co-dependent crotch.
goldenpond
13 years ago
there is one on our property,luckily it doesn't sit near pavement and we have had no spreading. BUTwe bought this house right after 04 hurricanes and it had busted right in half.On our property that was no big deal as we have a few acres and it was NOT near a house. My hubby wants it as it is a GREAT privacy screen. It is as tall as ever now.
The grandkids climb(only to wear it broke,it made a cool shelf)They also play underneath as it makes a fun secret playhouse. The Giant Leopard moths and other creatures find refuge in it.
So,there are my thoughts.I have lost over 15 mature Laurel oaks to disease and all my HUGE slash pines to borers so I am hesitant to remove anything thats not causing a problem(I did remove ALL pepper trees and Australian pines though)and am planting a few of every tree i can,mostly natives
good luck
tanya
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dghays
13 years ago
I assume that's the same as a mombin? I cut mine down, the fruit just weren't that good. It sure did grow fast.
fsubunnee
13 years ago
Remove it, it's an invasive plant/tree. I had 1 in my back yard and I removed it last year. I hated those dark plums...they stain everything.
sinwood
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the info everyone. Much as I hate to do it, we have decided to take the tree down. At least I don't feel as guilty now! Thanks again. Sue
Sara Tetley
8 years ago
This is for the next person who still has a Java tree.

I just learned about their health benefits. Wow! It's very difficult to find these plums in the US. Please take a look before you make your decision to remove yours. I wish I had one, but they don't grow in St. Louis.

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