Knowledgebase
Potential plum insect concerns #860282
Asked March 01, 2024, 11:05 PM EST
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Laurel,
I'm going to send you some links; good pruning is fundamental for good tree health and spraying your tree with dormant oil is also very helpful.
Making sure you have good air flow and allow the sun to come into the center of the tree is paramount to help keep disease ( fungal) away. It also help channel energy into a certain amount of fruit production, rather than producing tons of small fruit.
https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/faq/when-should-dormant-oil-sprays-be-applied-apple-trees
Dormant oil is safe to use as an organic pest control measure.
Mulch your tree with compost covered by a light wood mulch going out 4 feet in diameter. Keep all dead/fallen fruit picked up off the ground and throw them out ( don't compost them as they probably have pest eggs or larvae in them).
One last thing, fruit trees often take a year off/rest, no fruit production, so don't panick if that happens.
Good luck,
Sally Granath
St. Louis County MG