Plum tree not bearing fruits. - Ask Extension
We planted this plum tree over 5 years .. it looks healthy but had never produced any fruits. Is there something we can do to encourage fruit producti...
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Plum tree not bearing fruits. #864724
Asked April 16, 2024, 11:12 AM EDT
We planted this plum tree over 5 years .. it looks healthy but had never produced any fruits. Is there something we can do to encourage fruit production ??
Fort Bend County Texas
Expert Response
Good morning,
Thank your for the pictures. Looking at the pictures the tree appears to be healthy. The problem is what you've stated that the tree has not born fruit despite that the tree is five years old. Some facts about plum trees: their lifespan is around 10 to 15 years, it usually takes from 3 to 6 years for the tree to bear fruit, and fruit trees grow well in our zone 9.
Rather than wait another year to see if you get any fruit, I would like to give you some recommendations now that will help the tree along.
Plum trees prefer a full sunspot in a well-drained soil and they do require regular watering when fruiting. Some fruit trees are self-fertile, most fruit trees bear fruit consistently when there are two trees of different varieties. You may want to consider planting another plum tree.
I recommend that you have a soil test done. Please go to this website: soiltesting.tamu.edu.
Choose the Homeowners testing form and ask for the routine analysis. Once you get the results we can help you if any amendments are required.
I'm going to give you a annual fertilization schedule but NOTE! Please do not make any applications until you receive the soil test results.
Fertilizer applications should be made about a foot away from the trunk out to the tree's drip line.
February: 2 cups of 10-10-10 fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter.
May: 2 to 6 cups of 21-0-0 fertilizer depending of shoot growth.
August: no fertilizer if the tree is making vigorous growth.
1.5 cups of 21-0-0 if no growth, but healthy leaves.
3 cups of 21-0-0 if no growth, and leaves are yellow.
Please follow the directions on the label of the product.
AGAIN: Please don't make any fertilizer applications until you receive the soil test results.
Prune deadwood from the tree in late winter before the buds break. Apply a layer of mulch around the tree, keeping the mulch away from trunk.
This is a lot of work but hopefully you will start getting fruit.
For further help, contact us at:
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension
Fort Bend Master Gardner Help Desk
Phone:<personal data hidden>
Email: <personal data hidden>
Best regards,
Martha, Beesan, and Jerry
Thank your for the pictures. Looking at the pictures the tree appears to be healthy. The problem is what you've stated that the tree has not born fruit despite that the tree is five years old. Some facts about plum trees: their lifespan is around 10 to 15 years, it usually takes from 3 to 6 years for the tree to bear fruit, and fruit trees grow well in our zone 9.
Rather than wait another year to see if you get any fruit, I would like to give you some recommendations now that will help the tree along.
Plum trees prefer a full sunspot in a well-drained soil and they do require regular watering when fruiting. Some fruit trees are self-fertile, most fruit trees bear fruit consistently when there are two trees of different varieties. You may want to consider planting another plum tree.
I recommend that you have a soil test done. Please go to this website: soiltesting.tamu.edu.
Choose the Homeowners testing form and ask for the routine analysis. Once you get the results we can help you if any amendments are required.
I'm going to give you a annual fertilization schedule but NOTE! Please do not make any applications until you receive the soil test results.
Fertilizer applications should be made about a foot away from the trunk out to the tree's drip line.
February: 2 cups of 10-10-10 fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter.
May: 2 to 6 cups of 21-0-0 fertilizer depending of shoot growth.
August: no fertilizer if the tree is making vigorous growth.
1.5 cups of 21-0-0 if no growth, but healthy leaves.
3 cups of 21-0-0 if no growth, and leaves are yellow.
Please follow the directions on the label of the product.
AGAIN: Please don't make any fertilizer applications until you receive the soil test results.
Prune deadwood from the tree in late winter before the buds break. Apply a layer of mulch around the tree, keeping the mulch away from trunk.
This is a lot of work but hopefully you will start getting fruit.
For further help, contact us at:
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension
Fort Bend Master Gardner Help Desk
Phone:<personal data hidden>
Email: <personal data hidden>
Best regards,
Martha, Beesan, and Jerry
