Most fruit trees are able to be managed into a small productive tree. Not too tall, settling down to production within a few years and growing at a relaxed pace. This idea has been sorely tested after planting a d’Agen prune. Purchased as a well developed nursery specimen already 2 metres tall, this plant immediately bolted – heading for the sky.

d’Agen Prune Weeping Habit

Having reached my imposed maximum height of 3 metres for all fruit trees – within the first growing season – stern measures were needed.

As an upright growing tree, d’Agen will eventually develop a weeping habit, but only after many years. Not being prepared to wait that long I have been attempting to rein in this most spirited tree – channeling its energies into fruit production.

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Many branches have been deliberately left on the tree - not pruning will slow down the tree--in order to get the tree to produce more fruit when young

Some prune branches have been grafted to different plum varieties

My prune tree - planted 3 years ago - is very large for its age

After a branch is grafted the branch is removed above the graft. This well encourage the new variety to sprout from the attached - grafted - bud

Tiny fruits have begun to set this spring - 3 years after planting on the farm

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d’Agen Blossoms On My Hobby Farm

In order to slow down its ever upward growth no branches have been removed. Instead shoot tips of my now 4 year old tree have been regularly removed throughout the growing season.

The tree now looks very crowded and chaotic, but it has finally produced a large number of blossoms this spring.

Fruit Spur Production

Fruit production combined with more tip removal this summer should further reduce the plant’s vigour and initiate fruit spur production. This winter some crowded branches will be removed and leader shoots (strong upward growing shoots) shortened.

Once a large number of fruit spurs are produced, the weight of its crop will start to force branches outwards and eventually result in a semi-weeping tree.

Expecting Plentiful Prune Crops

Having so many branches, several have been grafted to other plums. These new additions will require space to grow, resulting in the removal of more major branches in the future.

The effort involved in containing this hardy and mostly disease free tree will be worthwhile as I expect plentiful prune crops – eaten fresh or stewed. In the event that too many are produced they are a excellent fruit for drying.

I expect in 3 or 4 years my prune will have accepted its fate and regularly produce large crops of dark sweet prunes – all at an accessible height.