Growing plum tree filling up small D.C. row house backyard -- what to do

[Anonymous]

We were gifted a small plum tree years ago by a relative, about 4 feet high and 1/2 inch in diameter. Many years later the trunk diameter is now 5 inches and the canopy spans the boundary of our small 20-feet square backyard. Will it stop growing? What should I do? I guess I can cut it back each year if that makes sense. Thanks for your advice.

[Anonymous]

Pruning is your friend.

[Anonymous]

Sell it or give it away on Craigslist. Someone will gladly dig it up and take it out of your yard for you.

[Anonymous]

Google “lifting tree canopy”. It is a way of pruning. Basically as the tree grows you can cut off its lower limbs right to the trunk (leave 1/2 inch or so, not flush with trunk) and leave the upper limbs to grow naturally. The tree will get taller and wider, but there will be space beneath it to sit, plant other things, etc.

And if it is simply too big for its spot, replace it with another tree that won’t get so large.

[Anonymous]

You have to prune it every spring

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Google “lifting tree canopy”. It is a way of pruning. Basically as the tree grows you can cut off its lower limbs right to the trunk (leave 1/2 inch or so, not flush with trunk) and leave the upper limbs to grow naturally. The tree will get taller and wider, but there will be space beneath it to sit, plant other things, etc.

And if it is simply too big for its spot, replace it with another tree that won’t get so large.

But them the tree canopy will grow over the neighbors yard. Rude if they don't want rotting plums all over their backyard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Google “lifting tree canopy”. It is a way of pruning. Basically as the tree grows you can cut off its lower limbs right to the trunk (leave 1/2 inch or so, not flush with trunk) and leave the upper limbs to grow naturally. The tree will get taller and wider, but there will be space beneath it to sit, plant other things, etc.

And if it is simply too big for its spot, replace it with another tree that won’t get so large.

But them the tree canopy will grow over the neighbors yard. Rude if they don't want rotting plums all over their backyard

The bottom branches are usually also the longest, so removing them may keep the tree within OP’s yard. But if it doesn’t, OP should of course discuss the tree with her neighbors. One fix would be to prune back the overhanging limbs so they don’t impinge on the neighbors’ yard if they don’t want it to. A 20 ft wide plum tree is reaching its max size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to prune it every spring

Winter. Prune fruit trees in the winter.