"Spider" wrote in message ...

On 22/04/2012 19:27, Gareth wrote:
I planted a dwarf Victoria plum tree stock last year.

It seems to have done quite well and it is currently flowering.

Problem is there seems to be no activity at all at the top foot of the
approximately 6 foot tree stock. The shoot activity at the top foot or
so of the tree seemed to die a few weeks after planting and it has not
recovered.

It's as if the top foot of the tree is dead wood.

Should I prune this off or should I leave it? The tree otherwise seems
to be doing well. I was surprised by how many white flowers it produced.




Yes, you must cut it back to clean, healthy wood. However, you can only do
this during dry sunny weather, otherwise you risk infection with Silver
Leaf Disease.

After pruning it, it will probably throw up at least 2 new 'leaders' (your
replacement central top shoot). Keep only the strongest, healthiest leader
and cut out the other. Use a cane or stake to tie in the wanted leader, so
that it grows straight.

Thanks Spider, Dave and Jeff.

It sounds a bit complicated - knowing when and exactly where to cut.

What is likely to happen if I leave it as it is? Will the tree continue to
grow?

So far it seems to have done pretty well this year judging by the number of
white flowers.