How to prune beach plum

Late winter to early spring, before new growth. Remove dead, diseased, weak, or crossing branches. Cut out any black knot-affected wood well below the lesion. Keep the canopy open for light and airflow. Avoid cutting back into the previous year's new growth, as this wood carries next season's fruit buds.

Annually. Beach Plum benefits from regular pruning to maintain an open canopy and encourage fruiting. It bears fruit on one-year-old wood, so preserving new growth while removing old or crossing wood is key. Avoid pruning in fall as it can trigger frost-vulnerable regrowth. Sterilize tools between cuts to prevent black knot and other Prunus diseases.

Remove dead, diseased, weak, or crossing branches. Cut out any black knot-affected wood well below the lesion. Keep the canopy open for light and airflow. Avoid cutting back into the previous year's new growth, as this wood carries next season's fruit buds.