How to prune greengage

Summer — late June to August, after fruiting or once the main growth flush is complete. Remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches with clean cuts to a lateral or collar. Shorten the current season's extension growth by a quarter to keep the tree compact. For fan-trained trees on a wall, tie in new shoots and remove those growing directly into or away from the wall.

Annually. Greengages are relatively compact plums that benefit from light annual summer pruning to maintain shape, remove dead wood, and reduce silver-leaf and bacterial canker risk. Avoid hard pruning; they do not regenerate vigorously and heavy cuts often lead to die-back. Focus on maintaining an open-goblet or fan form with minimal intervention.

Remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches with clean cuts to a lateral or collar. Shorten the current season's extension growth by a quarter to keep the tree compact. For fan-trained trees on a wall, tie in new shoots and remove those growing directly into or away from the wall.