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Help! My plum tree is not well : (

2 months ago

last modified: 2 months ago

Hi everyone. This tree was maybe 10-15 feet tall when we moved into our house 20 years ago, so I'm not sure how old it is or what kind of plum (the fruit is smallish and delicious w/ dark purple skin and purple flesh). It's bark started to look split a couple of years ago, and this year it has developed small growths all over every branch tip. The local garden center guessed either insects causing galls or a fungal infection, and they suggested pruning every branch back 8" and spraying it with copper. But I'm wondering if it might be at the end of it's life, in which case I don't think it would make sense to put that much time/effort into treating it. Anyone have any ideas what it could be and/or suggestions for what to do? Thanks for your help!

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Comments (3)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
The splitting bark looks like normal expansion growth. Mine's the same. The stuff on the twigs not so much. That looks like gall mite. I've never experienced it so can't offer a treatment suggestion. But that sort of thing can vary from year to year.
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linda_reb thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
vgkg Z-7 Va
2 months ago
I have 2 plum trees that are just over 20 years old and I don't expect them to last much longer. Typically stone fruit trees like plums and peaches may last 15-20 years with some care and good luck. Mine have been going down hill over the past 5 years mainly due to borer pests. The pic below shows how over time I've had to chop off limbs that had died from borers. This may be their last year since I do not use sprays on them...my 2 varieties of plums are Shiro and Yellow Egg.
linda_reb thanked vgkg Z-7 Va
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BillMN-z-2-3-4
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
linda_reb,

I notice a large stump nearby with holes drilled in it. How long ago was that tree cut?

If the plumb was growing under that canopy of that large tree, and that was restricting sunlight partially to totally, the tree might not have looked as good as it could've. The plumb might improve now that it's getting more light.

Are you treating that stump with any chemicals?
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