A customer has asked:

What is the best time to prune plum trees?

Chris replies:

Just chatting to a customer enquiring when is the best time to prune her plum tree (all the Prunus genus infact) as its is full of a weighty crop of fruit. Some of the branches are so heavy they are almost on the floor! Well, the answer is as soon as possible after the crop has been harvested, so ideally by the middle of September latest. Removing the most problem branches would be the priority this year, so that would include any dead, diseased or damaged wood and then wait until next June/July for any minor cut-backs. By pruning when the plant is in active growth, you reduce the possibilities of making to tree vulnerable to silver leaf disease.