|
| Dear GardenWeb, My home came with 2 plum trees, about 10 feet tall and probably 15 years old. They each have about 9 separate trunks coming out of the ground. It occurred to me that most plum trees are grafted, and didn't seem likely that anyone would graft onto 9 separate trunks. I had to look closely, but on each tree, I could find a graft line on only one trunk. Moreover, on both trees, they are one of the smaller trunks. Obviously, the root stock is more vigorous than the fruit stock and it has overtaken the tree. So, what to do? On each tree, I would like to chop down every trunk except for the one that is grafted. I would then train the remaining grafted trunk into a proper open vase form. Hopefully, with correct training and feeding, the existing fruit stock will produce some good fruit. If not, I will graft on some tastier stuff like pluots or peacotums. So, first question is, can I remove all of the sucker trunks at once? That will be removing about 90% of the tree. Second question is not really a question. Just open to any other ideas for how to make these trees into something productive. Thank you in advance for your insight. |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by Appleseed70 6 MD (My Page) on Mon, Oct 13, 14 at 5:13
| Is the grafted variety that is there now something that you like? Out of curiousity, do you know what they are? |
|
| I have a feeling if you chopped out 90% of the trees you would just provoke them to send out a ton of new suckers. What I would do is trade for scion wood http://www.nutgrowing.org/scion.htm or buy some from a place like this http://www.masonvilleorchard.com/scionwood.htm then I would top work all 9 trunks using a grafting method like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpgbpbewU3E then you would have fruit in just a couple of years from the new grafts and could still keep the original fruit tree and the roots of the others. With vigorous rootstock they always come back when you cut them down to one stock. If any of the grafts did not take I would then cut that stock out. Do you know what plum they are? The root stock sound like American plums http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CDgQFjAF&url=http%3A//www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook/th-3-39.pdf&ei=kbg7VMPvJqf28QH3yYHYCA&usg=AFQjCNG_4yacSh8idfYdggUukUGd_1tMcg |
|
| A picture would help, but my take on plum clusters like this is that they will compete and crowd with one another to the extent that you might as well just have a hedge. They're impossible to work or get into and don't produce nice-sized fruit. The rootstock could be seedling plum or something like Marianna or other multi-purpose rootstock. Fowler has a good chart that shows the options- quite an eye opener for me. If the cluster isn't too impenetrable you might dig out the unwanted sucker trees as thoroughly as possible, and then keep clipping the new ones as they appear. I've had to do that with a prune plum and it's a chore but it works. Of course, when you prune the original to shape it it'll throw off more suckers! Just my two cents worth. Like I said, pictures would make it easier to comment. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Stone fruit rootstock options
|
- Posted by nyRockFarmer 5A Southern Tier, NY (My Page) on Mon, Oct 13, 14 at 9:31
| I've seen something like this with Stanley on Marianna 2624. The Stanley is such a slower grower that any Marianna suckers are always trying to take over. I laugh when I see literature describe it as prone to mild suckering. That may be somewhat true with vigorous varieties, but with less vigorous varieties or stumps it will sucker profusely. This rootstock needs to be cleared of suckers at least once a month during the growing season. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Fruit & Orchards Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here
