Cherry plums (also known as Purple Leaf Plums) are a huge favorite for a reason. These hardy trees can grow as shrubs or standard trees, and every spring, they turn your yard into a stunning sea of pink blossoms. If you’re growing a standard cherry plum and want to keep it looking its best, here are my top tips for proper care and pruning.
Step-by-Step Pruning Guide
If you have a cherry plum tree with a clear trunk, regular pruning is a must to keep that beautiful shape. Here’s how to do it:
- Thin out the canopy until there’s about 10 inches (25 cm) of space between the main branches.
- Cut back any dead wood until you reach healthy, green wood.
- Remove any branches growing inward or straight upward (suckers).
- To encourage nice, bushy branching, trim back spent shoots by about five buds.
- Try to avoid making massive cuts all at once.
Pro tip: Always make sure your pruning shears are sharp and clean to prevent spreading disease!
Timing is Everything
If you’re planning a major structural prune, the best time is late winter or early spring (February to March). Pick a day that is overcast but not freezing. Don’t take off more than 30% of the tree at once; this ensures the old wood has enough energy to push out vigorous new growth.
You can also do a light “maintenance trim” during the height of the growing season. Just snip away any dried-out or stunted twigs.
Keep an eye out for “water sprouts” (those thin, vertical shoots that pop up out of nowhere). You’ll want to remove those immediately so the tree puts its energy into fruit-bearing wood for the next season.
Pruning After Transplanting
Whenever you move a tree to a new spot, you should give it a good trim. This keeps the floral display in balance with the root system, which helps the tree settle in and grow lush and healthy.
Here’s the plan:
- Cut the tree back by about one-third right after planting.
- Aim for the root ball and the canopy to be roughly the same volume.
- It’s also a good idea to thin out the fruit clusters a bit during this first year.
How to Prevent Fruit Mess
While the fruit is edible, some gardeners prefer to skip the cleanup. If you want to prevent a harvest altogether, there’s really only one way to do it: prune your cherry plum immediately after the flowers fade.
By trimming back all the spent blossoms, you stop the fruit from developing in the first place. It takes a little extra effort, but it’s a lifesaver if you want to keep your patio or sidewalk clear of fallen plums!
