Should I thin my plums?

[hamster]

Hi all, this is really the first year my victoria plum has fruited, its about 4 or 5 years old should I be thinning the plums out? They are slightly larger than a damson. There are quite a lot, only a few have not taken. (they've already fallen) Thanks.

[binley100]

I would wait and see how many drop first. My tree is loaded and they are about damson size at the moment , but they will grow (well they usually do) Its only really if they are weighing the branches right down that I'd worry.

[taff]

Wot ahe said ^ I never have, the ones that won't grow fall off anyway, and the ones that might ave made it have blown off by the wind

[arpoet]

My plum tree is already over loaded and shedding unwanted small green plums. As its an old and large tree, thinning out would not work as climbing unto the branches would do more harm than good.
Same with the apples.
Roger

[rustylady]

Every year I promise myself I will thin my plums, and every year I never seem to get round to it. I still get a huge crop of lovely tasty Victoria plums.

[Nicos]

June drop- the tree will initially sort itself out- then if there are a few too many ( thinking of weight on branch) then I'd be tempted to take out a few of the smallest if they are in clusters.

(I left a young apple tree to sort itself once- and it produced loads of lovely fruit- but the weight of the fruit had permanently bent the branches into a drooping shape. )

[hamster]

Thanks all, I'm really excited hoping for lots of juicy plums!!! A few fell last night in the blustery weather, so hoping it will sort itself. Have proped a couple of branches to try and steady it, but will keep an eye on them. Thanks for replying to my query so quickly.

[binley100]

Something else to bear in mind.........some plums mature a lot faster than others and these are usually the ones with grubs in. Check for a clear sticky frass on the outside and don't eat unless you like added protein.