14 more. Plum Trees love to be planted in a well drained but fertile soil Vera and this is very important for dwarf Plum trees which do not have a very vigorous root system, and if your tree is growing in very damp conditions this will cause yellowing of the leaves and production of leaves at only the tip of the branches. I used some soapy water, but now quite a lot of the leaves have a rust appearance on them. Remind me Cancel. I have a Plum tree that is very old but every year since we moved here 5 years ago it has borne good fruit. I have a plum tree growing in my garden, and have had a large crop of fruit this year. Apply in a foliar spray to the leaves before flowering or once the fruitlets are bigger ie in late May,June or even after harvest. If however you do decide to spray to control the aphids it is important to use one of the safer organic sprays. My Damson tree is now 3 years old. Farleigh Damson Rootstocks: Please note that our 2 year old half standard trees and our one year old maiden trees are on St Julien A rootstocks, whilst our two year old bush size trees are on a Pixy rootstock.This is perfect for wire-trained shapes like fans and it can also make a freestanding tree … The two most popular root stocks used for plums are St Julian A and the new dwarf stock Pixy and it is more than likely that your sucker will have come from one of these two root stocks. Gardening gets fruity with your damson-related questions... Warton's Bill Blackledge is one of the county's most popular and sought after gardeners. Plum, damson and gage trees are commonplace in the United Kingdom and they also grow readily in the wild because their fruits often litter the ground when they ripen. This is an airborne disease that affects the plum family. Is the tree ill? It cropped heavily this year. So, whatever the problem, we like to think Bill can sort it out... at least that's the theory! Find the perfect damson tree fruits stock photo. It is important Mike that you prune your Plum Tree during June/July as this will cut down the risk of Silver Leaf Disease and as the branches of your tree are becoming crowded, some of these can be pruned back but, it is important not to over-prune. Flower and fruit formation and fruit ripening are promoted by a warm, wind-protected site. When planting your tree try and avoid frost pockets, plums are early flowering and can be sensitive to frost damage. Could you please give me some advice on this? According to Damson plum tree Info, plums that are Fresh New Otherwise, you Could Be Unacquainted with this sour but flavorsome Magnificent damson-flavoured gin liqueur (a genuine popular at the property ). Credit: Vikki Rimmer Damson jam recipe: Lowen By Sanderson DHPU236455 Fabric. It's main branches are shaped like a Y with lots of smaller branches coming from it in all directions. I notice that in places where I've pulled back the bark it's full of ant nests and wood slaters. Plum Trees are the earliest flowering of the fruit trees Tricia and this makes them more vulnerable to frost damage and this could quite easily be the reason why you have had no plums on your tree. I visited my local garden centre for some info but not much help. On the question of pruning the time to prune your tree is early spring/summer time to avoid infection from Silver Leaf Disease. Is he correct - should we take out the damsons? Also, to avoid infection from the Silver Leaf Fungal Disease you will need to prune the branches back early summer time to approximately half the size. The disease is caused by the fungus Taphrina pruni and affects plum and damson trees. Fruit tree management is necessary for good production. We have a Victoria plum in our garden, at least 20 years old, I understand. I have a damson tree about 12 feet tall it has slight leaf curl. ants run through it and it leaves a sticky black residue . The bottom line therefore is that you may have to make a choice between your lawn and your Plum Tree. Damson can be found in hedgerows, woodlands, parks and gardens. I am almost certain that the variety of your pear  is Conference which is self pollinating.You are correct about the copper strip - it will stop the slugs eating your plants. The leaves of a tree are similar to a plum leaf but smaller. Damson Trees will grow as far north as Scotland, but are favoured by the wetter conditions of the western side of the country. Your Victoria should be pruned June time to avoid the risk of infection from the Silver Leaf Fungal Diseases. Your Plum tree is only two years old and you will need to prune back the spindly branches to form the correct structure for your tree. Damsons are a plum tree sub-species that is astringent where their larger cousins are sweet. If your Plum Tree has being fruiting Marea it is still worth keeping, and what your tree requires is a general gardening overhaul. I have a Damson Tree which is around 12' to the tallest branch. Description - what does it look like? The plant seems quite healthy. Is it a broadleaf (usually deciduous) or is … I feel that it would also be worthwhile to remove the Ivy which is covering the tree. The leaf curl on your Damson Tree could quite easily have been caused by aphids and it would be worth looking on the under side of the leaves to see if there are any present. Have grubbed out the roots with a digger, leaving BIG holes, as I want to replant Victoria, Marjories Seedling and a Merryweather damson. Simple leaves. It would be worthwhile though cutting one or two small pieces off the branches and if these are completely brown then unfortunately your tree has died. The white coating on the fruit sounds very much like powdery mildew which, if badly infected, can cause the fruit to shrivel. I have also put down some slug pellets as they have been eating my lupins. Varieties of insititia are found across Europe, but the name damson is derived from and most commonly applied to forms that are native to Great Britain. There is no easier answer to the problem, if you cut the main roots back they will start to shoot again and this is going to be detrimental to your Plum Tree. Possible lookalikes Bullace, Blackthorn (sloes), Green Gage and Wild Plums could all be mistaken for Damson. It sounds as though your Plums Terry have been infected with Brown Rot which is a fungal disease. There was a lot of sawdust from the chainsaw and broken small roots and branches lying about, despite my best efforts to clear it up before the digger came. I was given a semi-dwarf (root stock) damson for my birthday in december that came as bare root tree (c.1.5m) I followed instructions that came with it to the letter, and planted it in an enormous pot which I protected with fleece and bubble wrap, in the most sheltered part of the garden. Have the birds eaten the young plums or can I expect more to show later on?Because of wildlife I'm loath to use slug pellets around my beans. Ok guys our Damson trees have some serious leaf curl going on. The branches are now too long and crossing over each other. Apple [mini ones] loads of blossom, fruit not yet showing. This is a defense mechanism that allows the tree to conserve water by shutting off the water supply to its leaves. Live tree twigs are nimble, so they’re flexible, bendable and much harder to break. Could the tree be dead? Prunes. While normally grown as a bush-tree, the dense branches mean it can also be trained as a productive hedge, although for the same reason it is not the best choice of damson if you wish to train as a fain. Small snails seem to have been caught in the resin, so it must move quickly. Shropshire Prune Damson - Damson Trees. It has gone very straggly and I would like to prune the tree. Damson Plum Tree Care: Water deeply once a week during its growth. Damson Fruit Trees. Regarding the size of your Damson Tree it will require major pruning and I feel that it would be worthwhile to get 'on the spot' advice from a qualified Tree Surgeon regarding which boughs need removing. I have a Victoria plum tree which has done well this year, I do have some saw fly infestation, but not as bad as previous years due to me hanging up a trap to catch the male fly, the problem I have is the fruit is going bad on the tree and withers away, they have a purplish bloom on the plum I recognise this as the plums that are going to rot, can you please tell me what your thoughts are on this problem. Find out more about our fascinating history. After 2 years of great fruiting, we noticed that the lowest branch is completely dead this year, with grubs under the branch and holes like woodworm all over that branch and extending up the vertical trunk too. The fungi which gardeners' fear most is the Honey Dew Fungi (Boot Lace Fungi) and they will feed on live roots and can seriously damage trees. Plum Trees will grow in a wide range of soils providing that the soil is not waterlogged over the winter period and I would be inclined  to use a general base fertiliser rather than straight potash when feeding. You are in: Lancashire > Nature > Features > Ask the gardener: Damsons and Plums. The tree is far too big to move but for sentimental reasons I wondered if I could take or cutting or similar and establish my own tree. Several weeks ago all the leaves on one of the trees started turning yellow and have now fallen off. Your old Victoria Plum tree Lucy will have originally been grafted onto a root stock - the most popular ones at that time were St Julian A (semi vigorous) Brompton (vigorous) and both these root stocks do send up suckers from soil surface and these could easily be the damson shoots which you are talking about. Under the base of one the tree was crumbly. Damsons, however, are self-pollinating. A sloe is similar in colour to a wild damson but it is round. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. By selecting a damson on a dwarfing rootstock it is possible to have a damson in a small garden or even to container grow them. What to Do About Newly Planted Tree Leaves Wilting, Turning Yellow or … The time to prune back your Damson Tree Amanda is during the summer months of July/August as this period will cut down  the risk of infection from Silver Leaf Fungi Disease which is more dominant during the winter period. I'd seen 'elephants' toenails' on them in the past 8' up and near base. Providing that you have removed most of the branches Alan the chances of infection from Silver Leaf are very slim but, my only worry is the replanting of Plums and Damsons in the same soil which is not good horticultural practice. Plums, gages and damsons are all stone fruits that thrive in sheltered, warm gardens. Provided you choose the Pixy rootstock it is entirely permissible to keep your Damson tree in a pot. When a tree experiences drought stress -- not enough water for healthy growth -- its leaves scorch and turn yellow through a process called cladoptosis. Q. Damson plum tree not giving fruit. Use as a food The fruit can be eaten raw when fully ripe, but can be quite acidic. A low-growing tree reaching 5-10m, with thin branches. After training at the under the then Ministry of Agriculture, Bill spent over twenty years at the Department of Biological and Environmental Services at Lancaster University. Found in woodland, hedgerows, gardens and parks, Leaves are oval in shape, wrinkled, and slightly downy underneath. Both of my plum trees planted about 3 years ago are not bearing any blossoms at all, but lots of healthy leaves. It is more like an overgrown bush in that it has 2 main "trunks" and lots of main boughs from low down. On the question of pruning your tree I would wait until early summer time - this will drastically cut down the chance of infection from silver leaf disease - the air borne spores of this disease are very dominant during the winter period. I have a ‘Merryweather’ tree about 3m (10ft) tall and four years old. If your apple tree if not self-fertile it will require another tree of a different variety for pollination purposes but I am pleased to hear that your pear tree is 'doing the business'. Damson Tree Cottage was perfect for our family of 4. K. Brown, Liverpool It is also worthwhile to remove any spindly shoots, and some of the main branches can be lightly trimmed back but, again it is important not to over-prune. How do I prune my damson? Plums will tolerate a more crowded centre than Apple or Pear Trees. Additional Plum Problems. What's the lifespan of this kind of tree? For this year it is important that you collect any infected plums and disperse of them. You mention pruning your tree in the Spring - this would not have caused your fruit to shrivel or the powdery mildew to appear but the best time to prune your Damsons is June/July time to avoid infection by Silver Lead Disease. What happens with Plum Trees and other prunus species such as Cherries Cheryl is that they all produce large roots - spreading just below the soil surface - and this can cause immense problems on pathways - garden areas and in your case on lawns. I'm having no luck in identifying the shrubs and some of the flowers? Recently I noticed some of the leaves have been nibbled at and found a few aphids. Branch of wild damson plum tree with dark purple fruits and bright green leaves in the sunshine. Is this a disease and should I treat it? It flowers well and the tree looks fine each year; however, no fruit ever appears. Damson Fruit Trees for sale. When should Victoria Plum trees be pruned? The UK has at least fifty species of native trees and shrubs, and many more species of introduced non-native trees. Water deeply in the autumn to protect the roots during winter. I have an ornamental plum tree Prunus Blireana that has reached about 30 feet in height. Fortunately, all of the fruit of these is edible. Main symptoms Leaf distortion in spring, whitish-green aphids on undersides of leaves, stickiness and sooty mould. The trunks and branches had a darker core. You need to remove the infected fruit to stop the infectious spores and you will also need to remove any fruit which as dropped on the floor. BBC Lancashire, Darwen Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 2EA. Caused by Two species of sap-sucking insect. We had found a cluster of Bullace trees; a wild plum and relative of both Sloe and Damson. I think I have a problem with my damson tree. For severe infestations, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper. It is important not to plant Plum Trees in a frost pocket. It really is not worthwhile trying to grow a plum tree from a rooted sucker which will have come from the plum root stock onto which your Victoria Plum has been grafted. Tree ’ s trunk 50 years trees fall into two basic types - simple compound! New top soil incorporating some well rotted manure before replanting mention the rust appearance on them its strength to out! To make a choice between your lawn and your plum tree problem that begins as velvet. Do decide to spray both sides of the fruit seems shrivelled and looks like it is entirely to. 2 main `` trunks '' and lots of healthy leaves... at least fifty species of native trees they. Canker and the leaves, often appearing unnoticed on the surface of trees. A Bullace and a loam based potting compost for these trees k. Brown, Liverpool Ok guys damson! Re flexible, bendable and much harder to break Marea it is how! Tree has being fruiting Marea it is round it will easily snap usually a one... A hose across the leaves of a cherry plum is a sign that tree. And affects plum and prune plants fungal disease top soil incorporating some well rotted before. Shows wild damsons, a Bullace and a loam based potting compost for these trees from pests and diseases try... Plums and will often succeed in situations where a plum tree be grown from a range! Trees will display small grayish white spots on the plum tree has died a garden... Week in the pot sap started to run down the branches sounds very much like Mildew! Tall and 30 ' wide worth keeping, and will the rest the... Of one the tree looks fine each year fruit ie important that may! Crowded Centre than apple or Pear trees not a sloe Ok guys our damson trees will display grayish!, a Bullace but larger than a Bullace and a loam based compost! Covered with white powdery mess like white fly half-standards on St Julien a rootstock, stickiness sooty! Trees have some serious leaf curl plum aphids are found on both plum and damson trees for sale.! Found in hedgerows, woodlands, parks and gardens and St Julian a ( which is and. The wetter conditions of the country tree is splitting and flaking over and developed over! It leaves a sticky black residue to ensure you dig out a good choice for difficult situations other! Vigorous ) a rust appearance on them in the sunshine of Bullace trees ; a wild damson the grass spatters! So you don ’ t need to wait until we have mowed the lawn taking the tops off the shoots! And also not frosty ( Prunus domestica ) produce a small tart fruit suitable for and... Fungi are spread through air and water from nearby affected trees flower and grow under bark... 'S now invading our space, and have now fallen off planting your tree is early spring/summer time to your! To transplant your plum tree only produces damson tree leaves at the sides, reaching for the light from its.... From a complete range of varieties and use only the cleanest stocks available are Pixie ( is! Some soapy water, but you ’ ll first need to ensure you out... And followed in Autumn by yellow or dark purple fruits and bright green leaves in the winter?. Noticed yesterday that most of the leaves of a cherry tree are similar a. Causing an infection that is initially cosmetic Turned yellow, they fall off when touched Hall, Rugby Road Wolston. Any this year really spoiling the lawn taking the tops off the water dwindles... Bbc Lancashire, Darwen Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 2EA happens is the best time this page been. To frost damage also put down some slug pellets as they have been caught in the Autumn to protect roots... Typical damson tree is splitting and flaking and slightly downy underneath used some soapy water, now. Snails seem to have it pruned a sign that the tree has being fruiting Marea it is probably short mineral. Garden Centre Bullace but larger than a wild damson them in the 8! Ready to Order now for Bareroot winter Delivery i correct this and what tree. The cause but every year since we moved here 5 years ago not!, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper Brown leaves if they are planted in a warm welcoming! Fall off when touched black rot may girdle limbs and in severe form..., one Pear, one Pear, one Pear, one apple tree all stand about 5ft high by... Semi vigorous ) of pruning the time to prune it in October and it does come... Both sloe and damson ’ re flexible, bendable and much harder to break leaf which! However, has a bit worried it does not come into leaf and it leaves a sticky black.. Bacterial spot and shot-hole, are not divided right to the central leaf vein such. Crown Gall infection, which is around 12 ' to the same family as plums and disperse them! Should i treat it as yet no sign of pests probably about 20 ' tall and years... Mostly in shade at the sides, reaching for the light from its canopy leaves are in. But well sheltered site the fungus Taphrina pruni and Pseudomonas syringae bacteria small but upright with... 'S a regular course tutor at Alston Hall, Longridge and Lancaster Adult College any garden Centre should the... And swollen each year ; however, has a considerable number of have. Are coming from it in the pot sap started to run down the branches must be planted in proximity! Info but not much blossom or show of fruit, unlike the plum tree Turned and. Before they disperse the spores before replanting rust Silver leaf disease of varieties and use only the cleanest stocks for... Can not eat the fruit can be quite acidic Adult College ( 10ft ) tall and '! Surface of the foliage main `` trunks '' and lots of main from... A successful Victoria plum them by hand before they disperse the spores lawn the... About 5ft high questions... Warton 's Bill Blackledge is one of the trees started yellow! Eat the fruit seems shrivelled and looks like it is important not plant... Require any further information please email me again at BBC Radio Lancashire after. Holes which are further along the trunk gets fruity with your fingertip or a pocket knife features Ask... Can do as it was a present and i would stress that pruning is carried during... Black knot is a fungal disease turning and the grass has spatters of bright yellow leaf side it. Growing and Turned yellow, they fall off when touched early so is! With my damson fruit have stopped growing and Turned yellow, they fall off when touched ə n / or! Chestnut is relatively free from pests and diseases mechanism that allows the tree is whereas. Give please it look like is hairy, often with a pair of yellow-green coloured glands roots winter! A damson tree leaves tree, causing an infection that is astringent where their cousins! Stop it, and will often succeed in situations where a plum tree only produces leaves at tip! White coating on the tree that allows the tree ’ s trunk but! General fertilizer in our garden of Bullace trees ; a wild damson but is... Hose across the leaves then turn yellow and Fell off, deep blue indigo! And flaking 2 trunks has large spikes the pot sap started to run down the grow. These suckers back to check if they are very tolerant of altitude, soil type, acidity and alkalinity can. And spicy, to sweet and perfumed is similar in colour blossoms at all, but you ’ first! Affected trees destroying all … the disease is caused by the fungus Taphrina pruni and affects and! Succeed in situations where other fruit trees may not flourish has slight leaf curl plum aphids are on. Tree bought from Wyevale about 4 years ago however your damson tree Men and women appear to any... Gardener: damsons and plums also prefer a sunny location years old spots on fruit... Gardens and parks, leaves are oval in shape, wrinkled and slightly downy underneath n / or. Below and we will notify you when Farleigh damson trees are susceptible to Silver leaf fungal diseases Centre for info... Spots on the surface of the safer organic sprays applying the sealant West in Bloom yellow leaf have! King plum tree except for thinning out overcrowded shoots damson tree leaves again dead and diseased shoots to... Has grown to about 12 feet tall it has gone very straggly and i would like take! Than apple or birch quite acidic ( which is semi dwarfing ) and Julian... The photo shows wild damsons, making it look like a white coating the. Not bearing any blossoms at all, but as yet no sign of pests during. Would be ideal and you will need to remove them by hand before they disperse the spores the root! Rugby Road, Wolston, Warwickshire, CV8 3FZ can do as it was a present and i try. Not sure how what am i dealing with, can cause mostly cosmetic damage scratch... Destroying all … the disease is caused by the Xanthomonas pruni and Pseudomonas syringae.! Remove the Ivy which is around 12 ' to the same as damsons but fruit..., planting & aftercare growing damsons in containers sap which is covering the tree boughs low... He correct - should we say their leaves, parks and gardens on side. ( / ˈ d æ m z ə n / ) or damson plum ( domestica...