Marianne's Response

Topping flowering plum

My 3 yr old flowering plum bloomed a month ago. Is it too late to top it?

Posted by Virginia Ruble on May 26, 2022

Marianne's Response

I do not recommend topping trees as it initiates lots of new shoots that go crazy and ruin the shape of the tree. Perhaps you could thin out branches by following them all the way to the trunk and remove any dead, diseased or damaged wood? You cannot keep this tree small by cutting back the top. Major pruning is best done during the dormant season when the tree is leafless in the winter. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti