Problem with a victoria plum tree

poodlegirl · Post by **poodlegirl** » 31 Jul 2008, 13:29

Hi everyone didnt want to hijack another topic so posting my question here
I have a plum (victoria) that for the last 2 years has been attacked by aphids and silver leaf I have tried different preps to spray on and cut back diseased limbs but this year once again fruit with worms and all the limbs are covered in aphids which then attract flies the birds are eating a lot but the tree is still covered and sticky sap is raining down.

If anyone has any ideas they would be much apreciated! )hlp>

Post by Mo » 31 Jul 2008, 19:47

Sounds unpleasant, but I don't know the answer. We had a Warwickshire Drooper that caught something and died off, branch by branch. That fruit seemed very susceptible to grubs too.
Shame; it was a lovely plum.

poodlegirl · Post by **poodlegirl** » 01 Aug 2008, 09:06

thanks mo
this tree is lovely too its a beautiful shape and ideal for hanging the wild bird feeders on so I am loathe to chop it down but it looks like its my only option ! :cry:

Meanqueen · Post by **Meanqueen** » 01 Aug 2008, 18:14

I chopped an apple tree down that wasn't giving me any apples. I left the main trunk in tact with a couple of big main branches off it, I hang my bird feeders off that, with a couple of hanging baskets. It's about 7ft tall, my cats like to climb it.

You could cut it down to about 5ft, make the top flat, nail a flat board to the top for a bird table, and hang your feeders from that.

Ilona
(f+

poodlegirl · Post by **poodlegirl** » 01 Aug 2008, 22:53

Excellent idea meanqueen i had never thought of that ! )t'

Post by Mo » 02 Aug 2008, 09:47

Not sure about doing that with a diseased plum. If you're getting fruit leave it, if no hope for it get well shot of it and plant a new one in a slightly different position.

poodlegirl · Post by **poodlegirl** » 02 Aug 2008, 10:23

Hi Mo
I am getting friut but darent eat it as most have sap blobs dripping out which I think is because there are pests in the plums the bark on the main trunk is split and cracked where my lovely cats use it as a scratching post ,could it be that that has weakened the tree ? :cry:

Post by Mo » 02 Aug 2008, 13:29

Sap blobs don't do any harm. I cut mine to see if they have things in. Then use the trimmings for jam.
But I thin off all the 'odd looking' ones early in July.

poodlegirl · Post by **poodlegirl** » 02 Aug 2008, 17:57

thanks mo
i might give it another year ,you prune yours after fruiting ?

Post by Mo » 03 Aug 2008, 10:10

No, I hardly prune at all. Just remove dead and crossing stuff in June.

Post by Mo » 03 Aug 2008, 10:12

I prune apple trees after fruiting. Well in theory; but in practise I do them while I'm picking cos I know I won't get round to climbing up there again later. Some of my apple trees are quite big.

poodlegirl · Post by **poodlegirl** » 03 Aug 2008, 21:56

Thanks again Mo ! )t'