Plum Tree Didn't Bloom This Year

Age

• Plum trees need several years of growth before they begin to bloom and produce fruit. While some types of fruit trees start blooming and setting small amounts of fruit after just a year or two, plum trees are a little slower to mature. It takes a plum tree four to six years to become large and mature enough to bloom, and produce a harvest. If the tree is younger than four to six years, it is possible that it will not bloom at all until it is a little older.

Pruning

• Severe pruning will stop an otherwise healthy and productive plum tree from blooming, and consequently from producing any plums. Blooms occur on short twigs and branches, so removal of all the new growth may also remove all the potential spring flowers. Leave most of the new growth in place and instead prune only crossing branches and heavy growth that does not allow air and light to circulate throughout the tree.

Disease

• A diseased plum tree will have difficulty blooming and setting fruit. There are several of diseases that can stop the tree from setting flowers. These include plum pockets, valsa canker, stem decay, brown rot and canker. If the tree appears otherwise healthy, take a close look at branches, the bark and the leaves for signs of disease such as stippled, mottled, yellowing or curled leaves, oozing bark or stunted growth. Take a small section of a branch to your local cooperative extension office for identification and testing for diseases if you suspect your plum tree is infected.

Light

• Plum trees need full sun to grow properly, stay healthy, bloom and set fruit. If the tree is in the shade for part of the day, it may not be receiving the sunlight it needs. Observe the tree at different times throughout the day and notice whether it stays in full sunlight all day. Neighboring trees may need to be trimmed back to permit sufficient sunlight, or if the plum tree is still small, it may need to be moved to a sunnier location.