To: nafex mailing list at ibiblio <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [nafex] Old purple leaf plums
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2012 10:04:20 -0600
We have two large purple leaf plums. I'm wondering if they need some
kind of pruning. They have a lot of leaves on the edge of the canopy,
about 8 to 12 feet away from the trunk, but the interior of the tree is
empty of any leaves. There are also some large areas that are dead.
Is this normal or should the trees by pruned in some way so that the
canopy is more full? Or are the trees simply too old and should be
replaced? A lot of branches died last year when we had a record breaking
cold spell. This year they did flower moderately well and are setting
some fruit but they look bad with about half of their wood dead and with
their thin fringe of leaves and empty interiors.
Regards,
Jay
Jay Cutts
Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews
Lead Author, Barron's Test Prep Publications
(505) 281-0684
10 am to 10 pm Mountain Time, 7 days