Anyone who looks at a plum tree at harvest time would never guess how little care it requires. Only a young tree has to be closely monitored by its owner. Most of the work is done later with the annual thinning cut in the spring. After that there is little left to do.

In the spring the plum tree is thinned out

Water young trees

Each Mirabelle variety is robust as a mature tree, hardy and almost "self-sufficient". However, a young tree still has to be nurtured and cared for until it has increased significantly in size. The first thing to mention is regular, needs-based and weather-dependent watering in the first few years. Until the tree has a firm grip on the soil with its roots, it must not be thirsty.

The first major care step: the training cut

A further care step at a young age, from which the later tree will also benefit, is the educational pruning. The scissors can wait two years before they are allowed to shape this tree species in the gardener's hands.

  • upright, vigorous growth should be encouraged
  • well-positioned leading branches are selected for this
  • together they form a crown that is as balanced as possible
  • it must be well ventilated
  • disturbing shoots are regularly thinned out

Water and fertilize

An older tree that has already grown in the garden only needs water and nutrients when it is needed. If you look at the time spent on this, both care points together are not worth mentioning.

  • water only when it has been dry for a long time
  • Fertilize with compost
  • only once in spring
  • possibly fertilize modestly in late summer

Annual thinning cuts

The apricot tree tends to grow vigorously and would develop a very dense crown over the years if left undisturbed. This can have a detrimental effect on his health. Because a poorly ventilated crown cannot dry out so quickly after rainfall. Humidity, however, makes it easy for diseases caused by fungi to break out.

  • Thinning out is carried out annually in the spring
  • after that, the crown needs more air and light
  • Remove inward-growing shoots and water shoots
  • Thin out disturbing, crossing branches

Protect young trees from frost

Wrap a young tree in fleece to protect it from a harsh winter. A mature tree is hardy enough and does not need any help against frost.

Category:

Trees