How to prune damson 'shropshire'

Mid-summer (June–July) when the tree is in full leaf and silver leaf spores are least active. Prune to maintain an open-goblet or pyramid form. Remove dead and crossing branches first. Thin congested spurs on older wood to two or three buds. Keep cuts clean and angled; seal any wound larger than 2 cm. Minimal pruning is better than heavy reduction on damsons.

Annually. 'Shropshire' damson (the classic English culinary damson) is a compact, relatively slow-growing tree. It benefits from annual pruning to maintain an open crown and remove congested or diseased growth. Silver leaf fungus risk means summer pruning is strongly preferred over winter cuts.

Prune to maintain an open-goblet or pyramid form. Remove dead and crossing branches first. Thin congested spurs on older wood to two or three buds. Keep cuts clean and angled; seal any wound larger than 2 cm. Minimal pruning is better than heavy reduction on damsons.