Pruning "watersprouts" of ornamental Japanese plum

Discussion in 'Fruit and Nut Trees' started by 2annbrow, Nov 17, 2009.

  1. 2annbrow

    2annbrow Active Member

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    Location:
    North Bend OR US;Oregon coast, just N of Coos Bay
    I too have an ornamental plum like that shown in this thread, but it suffered severe damage in a recent windstorm. (I can't post a photo, no camera yet.) All the locals call the erect shoots "watersprouts" and have advised me to cut them all off! My question is, could I leave one to act as a new "header" where the branches above got ripped off by wind? I was planning to cut back to main branches otherwise, but now I'm not sure. What to do?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 17, 2009
  2. M. D. Vaden

    M. D. Vaden Active Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    Beaverton, Oregon
    Even if I could see the photo, it might be hard to explain how to prune it. Can add though, that I rarely remove all the watersprouts from plum, pear or apple.
     
  3. 2annbrow

    2annbrow Active Member

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    Location:
    North Bend OR US;Oregon coast, just N of Coos Bay
    OK, may I ask why? As an ornamental, I don't expect to vase-prune, but the locals tall me they "take the vigor" from the rest of the tree.??
     

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