Do Plums Need to Be Thinned

With plums and apricots, it is necessary to thin the fruit to a few inches apart, 2-3″, to protect the branches from breaking under the weight of the fruit. Some trees fruit in clusters. For clusters, you should remove all but one fruit in clusters spaced the proper distance apart.

Do you have to thin out plums?

Plums: Are particularly prone to overcropping, so thinning is vital. Heavily laden branches may need additional support with stakes and/or ties even after thinning to prevent them breaking. Use thumb and forefinger to remove fruit to leave one fruit every 5-8cm (2-3in), or a pair of fruits every 15cm (6in).

When should you thin out fruit?

When to thin out fruit: The window for thinning fruit trees opens after pollination takes place and in the early stages of fruit development – this is usually before the young fruit exceeds an inch in diameter. In most locations, you will no longer need to be concerned with thinning your fruit trees after July.