How to prune damson

Summer — July to August when wounds heal fastest and silver-leaf spore counts are lowest. Limit pruning to removing dead or diseased branches and any shoots growing into the centre of the tree. Make clean cuts to a lateral or collar; avoid leaving stubs. On neglected trees, do remedial pruning over 2–3 summers rather than all at once to avoid excessive regrowth.

Annually, or as needed — minimal intervention required on established trees. Damsons are among the toughest and least fussy of the plum family and, once established, need minimal pruning — mainly removal of dead, diseased, or crossing wood in summer. Over-pruning damsons can stimulate excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit. They are very susceptible to silver-leaf if pruned in the dormant season.

Limit pruning to removing dead or diseased branches and any shoots growing into the centre of the tree. Make clean cuts to a lateral or collar; avoid leaving stubs. On neglected trees, do remedial pruning over 2–3 summers rather than all at once to avoid excessive regrowth.