Greengage Pruning

[Buzzardist]

My greengage produced loads of fruit year before last. Pruned it in winter and got absolutely no fruit this year. When and how should I prune, this years growth is 3ft on average.

[Clanad]

Although, at least here in the western U.S., plums are pruned in early spring, your problem may not have anything to do with pruning. You may be aware of the almost world wide die off of entire hives of bees. As a bee keeper, I'm concerned (although we haven't been affected... yet) that it's going to be a few years before the entomologists understand what's going on and find a cure. The lack of pollinizing insects has affected other plant species.
At any rate, we prune only winter damaged or cankered branches. Ours, at least, don't like to much snipping about. Best of luck!

[Bromsgrove]

I agree that pruning should be minimal. Cut out any diseased branches and also any crossing branches. Two or three handfuls of potash, depending on tree size should help to encourage the development of fruiting buds. You could give some potash now, I usually give a dose towards the end of October, and again at the end of February.This type of tree and plums tend to have loads of fruit one year and less, but always some ,the next. As your tree has fruited well in the past you clearly have a good pollinator close by.

[Buzzardist]

Thanks for your advice; we have no shortage of bees in this area so I don't think that is the problem. Will take on board your advice re cutting out diseased wood, although there is very little of this. One concern is the amount of growth this year with masses of 3 to 4ft shoots. If I don't prune these back and get the same growth again next year the tree will be getting too big for easy maintenance. I did prune quite heavily last time and wonder if this is why there is so much growth. Is it now better to leave it or should I just shorten the tips?

[Bromsgrove]

Hello! If you do prune hard you will get an increase in growth. Try some tip pruning this year, this should help. If the branches do get too large to manage you may have to resort to harder pruning. Good luck.

[landscaper2]

Ah, the truth comes out - someone's got a little carried away with the pruning saw, haven't they?! Heavy 'pruning' of fruit trees will result in masses of vertical shoots, which will not bear fruit. You will need to see if there are any fruiting spurs left on the old wood, these would have already been produced, ready for next spring. If there are, cut off the new shoots. If not, I would leave maybe a couple of shoots per branch to produce a nice shape and halve them in length. They should eventually produce fruit - but not next year. Good luck and go easy on the pruning!

[Buzzardist]

Oooh Landscaper, you just made my wife's day. She is locking away my saw and pruners and I shall only be allowed to use them under strict supervision in the future.
Thank you all for the advice, I live and learn!