"Nick Gray" wrote in
:

Cut out any infected branch as soon as the symptoms appear!

If you don't, the fungus will get down into the trunk and - goodbye
tree.


HMMM - RHS says "Prune plums and other susceptible plants in the
summer months when there is little risk of infection.
Apply a proprietary wound treatment immediately: phenolic formulations
(Bio Arbrex Seal and Heal) or octane acid (Growing Success Prune and
Seal)."

See - http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile...ilver_leaf.asp


Surely that's about pruning healthy trees, to prevent them getting
infected? If this tree is already infected, it's too late to be doing
things to reduce the chances of infection: more vigorous action is
needed.

The article also says 'Cut out and dispose of dead wood, before the
fruiting bodies have developed, at a point 10-15cm (4-6in) beyond the
area where the stain in the tissues ceases.' Presumably if the fruiting
bodies are developing now, now is the time to get rid of them before
they infect everyone else's trees.

The feral plum trees infesting my garden never show the slightest sign
of any infection, and I chop at them randomly all year round :-(.

Victoria
--
gardening on a north-facing hill
in South-East Cornwall
--

See - http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile...ilver_leaf.asp


Surely that's about pruning healthy trees, to prevent them getting
infected? If this tree is already infected, it's too late to be doing
things to reduce the chances of infection: more vigorous action is
needed.

I'm not so sure as the whole article was discussing silver leaf and not
general plum pruning. I guess it could be read either way.


The article also says 'Cut out and dispose of dead wood, before the
fruiting bodies have developed, at a point 10-15cm (4-6in) beyond the
area where the stain in the tissues ceases.' Presumably if the fruiting
bodies are developing now, now is the time to get rid of them before
they infect everyone else's trees.

The feral plum trees infesting my garden never show the slightest sign
of any infection, and I chop at them randomly all year round :-(.

Maybe your plums are silver leaf resistant (Excalibur) or silver leaf
doesn't occur in your area.


Victoria

Nick
www.ukgardening.co.uk

The message
from (Alastair) contains these words:

Simply because it is a harmful fungal infection I have heard being
closely linked to plum trees and pruning at the wrong time of year.
The fact that several of the branches of the tree have no leaf buds
apparent and one of them has golf ball sized growths makes me think
somethings up.
I guess it might not be silver leaf, but I don't think it is
harmless...

If the golf-ball sized growths are very rough, it is probably canker,
and that should be removed and burnt.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

The message
from (Alastair) contains these words:

Simply because it is a harmful fungal infection I have heard being
closely linked to plum trees and pruning at the wrong time of year.
The fact that several of the branches of the tree have no leaf buds
apparent and one of them has golf ball sized growths makes me think
somethings up.
I guess it might not be silver leaf, but I don't think it is
harmless...

If the golf-ball sized growths are very rough, it is probably canker,
and that should be removed and burnt.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

Stephen Howard wrote in message . ..

Are you certain it's a fungus?
Plum trees can be shabby beasts at the best of times - the wood is
very brittle and gives the appearance of being dead when it's actually
still viable. My collection of plum trees look frankly awful, and yet
still yield a significant crop in a good year.
They seem rather susceptible to lichen - which some people might
mistake for fungal growth. The lichen forms small, pale to white
fungus-like bracts on the branches. It does no harm, rather it
indicates good air quality.

Given that you've not seen the plum tree "in action" I would be
inclined to hold off on any treatment this year and see what the
summer brings. Once the tree is in full leaf you'll have a better idea
of its condition. It might surprise you and fruit magnificently.

If you're sure it's under attack then the standard advice is not to
prune any wood until after the last frost has passed.

Regards,


I'll take a few pictures, load them up to a website and post a link....
Spotted a couple of blossoms last night so it's definitely not dead.
)

Cheers
Alastair