North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Jwlehman@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/21/2010 12:31:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time, billg@inebraska.com writes:

> So is it too late to prune these plum trees now?
>
> And will it do any good, anyway, this late in the summer? My intent with 
> it has always been to try to keep the trees small (which is especially 
> hard with my Toka plum). I keep the branches only a little above 
> horizontal, which means that I have very long vertical shoots growing up 
> everywhere on those trees which are especially vigorous. Should I still 
> cut them back now, or just wait for dormant pruning next spring?


Hi Bill,

I do not consider myself very knowledgeable on plum & peach matters, but will take a stab at this, seeing you question isn't answered after one day's wait. 

No, I wouldn't prune them now. It might promote new unwanted growth now. Secondly they wouldn't heal over the wound, thus leaving the wood unprotected and exposed until next summer.  Also removing the branches would remove leaves needed to help build up energy for the root system needed next spring. 

Jerry