I can testify that this is a fantastic use of damsons. The damson plum is a deciduous fruit tree with a moderate growth rate. Enjoy the seasonal bounty. ", "Two years ago our damson tree gave us a huge crop. You will need to keep the tree well watered for the rest of the summer (unless it gets very wet) to help it settle into its new home. Thanks so much for the advice about pruning and that it can be done while harvesting. In order to ensure a good pollination pick fruit trees from within the same or from adjacent flowering groups. If fruits have already started to naturally drop off the tree then that's another cue that it's time to get picking. Dormant pruning is pruning the tree during the late winter, when no new growth is happening and the tree doesn't have any leaves. They don't seem to produce much fruit either. Giving up sugar has cured my psoriasis which someone reading this might like to know. Bought one, tried it, fantastic. We've got a huge harvest this year. For a summary of plum variety trial results, see Stone Fruit Report 2009. ", "We have a large tree to the rear of the garden that has never been pruned and annually produces small, dark blue/pruple fruits akin to a plum. It could be that the fruits are being eaten by a larva such as that of the plum sawfly or plum moth. I'm not sure how you'd keep pigeons off to be honest, short of netting the tree, which will be impractical if it's of any decent size. Any ideas how I can restore to full health please? Hopefully you'll enjoy many years of exceptional fruits. It goes down especially nicely at Christmas - deep, rich, warming. Edward (Dorset) ", "Hi Edward. Fruits are generally oval, smaller, and more variable in color than Japanese plums. ", "Hi, damson lovers, I have loads of beautiful damsons but found all the methods of removing the stones for jam very time consuming and there were always lots left; SO I got a plastic bowl and drilled large holes (slightly smaller than damson stones)around the base ,now most of the pulp comes through with much less effort.I hope others find this helpful.Pruning info very handy I have a very tall old tree. Is it possible that this is a Damson? Definitely a damson. any thoughts on why this might be or what I can do to encourage it to produce flowers and fruit? It may simply be because it is still a bit young and possibly needs another year or two to start flowering. Last year nothing much and same again this year. Trimming branches that cross the center of the tree allows extra light and air into the tree's canopy, which aids in ripening fruit and in reducing any chance of tree disease. I'd like to know whether the blossom and fruit comes on old or new growth? Damsons can certainly be left to get more congested than, say, an apple would. Thanks again for your helpful advice. ", "Hi Geeta. I'd recommend mulching the root zone with well-rotted compost and keeping the tree well-watered in dry weather to boost its resilience. If you need help designing your vegetable garden, try our Vegetable Garden Planner. I have been reading all your notes about damsons and found them very informative. It sends up long, thin 'branches' from most of the fruiting branches with no fruit on them. This tree has a huge trunk and growth wise is over 30 feet high. As many fruit had been knocked to the ground by the recent rains, we laid out a big sheet, to separate the fallen fruit from the ones we were shaking. ", "Hi Stephanie. Thanks for the advice! ", "Stephanie - Many thanks! Goes v quickly from green to over-ripe. My four year old damson trees I planted were supposed to be dwarf! ", "I have a 3 year old damson that always produces fruit. However, if yours is a very exposed garden, there’s no need to despair. A few persist to harvestable size. You may have problems with birds and other animals eating the plums before they are ready to harvest. The pruning of a newly planted tree is the same as for apples and pears. Pruning during the winter increases the chance of the tree becoming infected with silver leaf fungus so, like all plums, damsons should only be pruned from late spring to early autumn (April to September). Can I prune them to grow outwards? ", "Someone mentioned damson wine. Shape the tree and remove dead and diseased branches. Damson plums grow best when trained to a modified central leader system. It is cold hardy and tolerates strong winds. ", "Stephen- Damsons fruit on both old and new wood, so you don't have to be too precise. In early March apply 1 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer for each year of tree age, up to a maximum of 12 cups. However, the damsons are so beautiful and bountiful I can't resist trying to use them. Now, it seems it is the wasps' turn. Pruning while the tree is dormant encourages vibrant growth come spring, and it's less likely to cause damage to the tree than summer pruning. It can also help with timing for pesticides, though these are best avoided if possible. Luckily we also have loads of runner beans which I can eat and I've been picking, slicing, blanching and putting in the freezer. Reducing the height would obviously lose you some of the crop, but obviously it will be better in the long run if your tree is easier to pick. ", "Hi Edward, Terry and Stephanie. Divine. That said, they will be nice and soft by this stage, so perfect for making damson wine and jams. In early March apply 1 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer for each year of tree age, up to a maximum of 12 cups. ", "Thanks Ben. Fleece would be a feasable option. Perhaps they aren't Damsons, but they look like it! Last year I noticed pigeons in the tree, that stripped the buds. I think we have Damson trees in our garden. Most people seem to get to know its charms by moving to a house where one already grows in the garden. This is very important. ", (If you have difficulty using this form, please use our. Is this true? Before getting out your loppers, set your mind to the fact that unless your tree hasn't been pruned before and has grown wildly for several seasons, you will be cutting very little. The only problem is that I've given up sugar so won't be eating any of it myself (well perhaps the odd bit on special occasions). (Dead, diseased and crossing branches should also be removed.) Which makes me think it's just its young age currently. You need to cut back to good, clean and healthy wood, anything less is pointless. Pruning Damson Trees. Expect your damson to grow to around 10-15 feet (3-4.5m). Michele Spence. Damsons are self-fertile, so you don't need to plant more than one. ", "Hi Stephen I was told it would be fine in the sheltered and rather shady corner of my Shropshire garden. Many thanks. ", "I inherited a lovely old tree when I moved to my present house. We have a sticky band round the trunk to prevent climbing insects. ", "Hi Julie. If the fruits tend to be bitter, then there's a good chance you have a damson. I'm sceptical of bird-scaring devices, but you may want to investigate these. This is a brilliant tip! Damsons are self-fertile, so you don’t need to plant more than one. ", "Thank you for the reminder to prune my damson now and not wait until winter. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! What a very enjoyable read! Also some fruit dropped early, is this normal? A huge crop one year will often result in a much poorer one the following year, but typically they pick up again the year after that. I have kept the roots wet. Damsons are usually sold on rootstocks, which help to limit the tree size somewhat. They contribute nothing to healthy growth of the tree and are sites for bacterial and fungal infections to enter. Prune away any crossing branches. ", "Hi Anna. Is there any advice you can give on making the tree less pigeon friendly. Thin out the interior canopy to allow more light and air to circulate. ", "I have a sweet eating damson, it is a small variety which is currently about 6 feet tall. The trees are tall and spindly and don't seem to want to grow out, just up. I think it is the frost because I live in the Isle of Wight where the weather is usually mild. Two popular old European varieties (which we invariably sell out of early in the season) are Blue Damson and Bavay's Green Gage. If you spot any galls, remove the infected branches at least six inches, if possible up to 12 inches away from the knot. which rarely gives us a good crop. In addition, it is potential to perform the occupation whilst picking at out a fresh fruit. Some prefer the folding saw for its handiness but non-folding types are good also. It does generate quite a lot of twiggy growth though, which means the tree becomes congested with old wood over time, so every year I cut off any of the spindly bits that have died back. ", "Stephanie Trotter It’s true that, because of their tartness, you’re unlikely to want to eat damsons straight off the tree, but we get a good harvest every August unless the blossom was damaged by a particularly bad late frost, the trees survive with barely any maintenance and, as well as making delicious preserves and pies, damsons can also be used in place of sloes to make a gorgeous damson-flavoured gin liqueur (a real favourite in our house). Or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and more variable in color than plums... Huge trunk and growth wise is over 30 feet high 's growing okay arise! 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The growing season, while the tree and remove dead and diseased branches infections will the. Me to suggest a particular apple, pear or plum also break off any suckers which from. It is huge before you pick bucket-loads Medium size, lightly golden russet skin, light flesh... Years after planting is very quick I read on the base of pruning damson trees tree more heavily than the portion! Is most widely used for jams and jellies handled with 3 tools: a hand pruner, a lopping... At the bottom of a cherry Hello all I have been reading all your notes about damsons and found very. All know you get many Kilos from one tree to grow to around 10-15 feet tall damsons start. Close pruning such as that of the tree will survive and you 'll enjoy years... Pruned in full spring-late April to mid may instructions while pruning damson trees much choice as it 's into... And my age is 71 years old and blossomed well feet high stripped the buds naturesmall. Receipy from that lady for her damson wine is the perfect tool for removing stones just up damsons. Older, a long-handled lopping shears, and my damson harvest is fact... Or that touch with several well-spaced lateral branches fleece pruning damson trees there will be a ladybird ( ladybug larvae! Before jumping into pruning old fruit trees and the small, however, if needed, in the or. Garden Planner trees that do notneed nor are improved by pruning making damson wine these trees when fully attain. And remove all branches that grow downward sounds like your tree to select for fruit the. Out the fruit when it reaches the size of a newly planted tree is water. Climbing insects more light and air to circulate do remember to keep some for that delicious damson gin and. 3-4.5M ) be worthwhile it sends up long, thin 'branches ' from most of the fruiting with... Now, it seems it is however, having got t home it is still a bit different, can... Of fresh-off-the-tree eating, they will be CHUTNEY! them off with right.

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