How to prune plum 'victoria'

Late spring to midsummer (May to July in the UK) when cuts heal quickly. Establish a goblet-shaped open-centre framework by removing the central leader after planting. On mature trees, remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches each summer. Shorten vigorous sideshoots by half to contain size. Thin any overcrowded fruiting spurs. Always prune on dry days with sharp, clean tools to reduce disease entry.

Annually in early summer; avoid dormant-season pruning. Victoria plum must be pruned in late spring or summer, never in winter, to minimise the risk of silver leaf disease (Chondrostereum purpureum), which enters through wounds made when the tree is dormant. Victoria is a heavy-cropping, self-fertile plum that benefits from an open-centre form to improve light and air circulation.

Establish a goblet-shaped open-centre framework by removing the central leader after planting. On mature trees, remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches each summer. Shorten vigorous sideshoots by half to contain size. Thin any overcrowded fruiting spurs. Always prune on dry days with sharp, clean tools to reduce disease entry.