North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Moyer, Richard" <ramoyer@king.edu>]

Our Hollywood purple leaf plum has been in about 8 years and routinely
freezes, we've only eaten 1 plum in this time.

Since last freeze was in late March, after this tree bloomed, it's now
loaded with fruit from pea to black olive size.  Limbs are bending with
hundreds of plums per limb.

Lacking experience with plums, we need advice on efficient thinning for one
tree.

How far apart should each fruit be when done?
Can I grab the limb and shake severely at this stage, at least to get
started?
 
Ideas and experience appreciated.

Richard Moyer
Zone 6, East Tenn