Troubleshooting
Damson problems — and how to fix them
Damson (Prunus domestica subsp. insititia) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Suckering
Own-root and rootstock suckers spread from the base into lawns and beds; pull (don't cut) suckers cleanly each year to discourage regrowth.
Brown rot
Wet summers cause Monilinia rot on the tightly clustered fruit; remove mummies and any cankered shoots to break the cycle.
Silver leaf
Fungal disease entering pruning wounds; damsons need little pruning, so prune sparingly and only in mid-summer.
Biennial bearing
Tends to a heavy year followed by a light one; light fruit thinning in heavy years evens the yield, though damsons are usually left to crop freely.
Prevent damson problems before they start
Most damson issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for damson in general rather than its problems? Read the full damson care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Damson problems — FAQ
Why is my damson suckering?
Own-root and rootstock suckers spread from the base into lawns and beds; pull (don't cut) suckers cleanly each year to discourage regrowth.
Why is my damson brown rot?
Wet summers cause Monilinia rot on the tightly clustered fruit; remove mummies and any cankered shoots to break the cycle.
Why is my damson silver leaf?
Fungal disease entering pruning wounds; damsons need little pruning, so prune sparingly and only in mid-summer.
Why is my damson biennial bearing?
Tends to a heavy year followed by a light one; light fruit thinning in heavy years evens the yield, though damsons are usually left to crop freely.