So many plums

[ToffeeForEveryone]

I have a large, overgrown plum tree that produces a ridiculous amount of fruit.

It's been largely neglected for the past 2-3 years and is in need of a major haircut.

How hard can I prune it back? It is like 12-15 feet tall (branches growing straight up). I want to take off like the top third but don't want to kill it off.

Is there any way to encourage branches to form lower on the trunk?

Also, if anyone has any recipes for using up 20kg plums I would be grateful! Bonus points if there are any that don't require stoning first ...

If you need to prune you need to get a move on as stonefruits must be pruned whilst in active growth. Focus on removing congested areas, cutting back to where that branch starts. I wouldn’t take off more than a quarter as all you will do is promote a rash of thin growth ( water shoots) and you’ll be back where you started.

Honesty box at the door!

I used to love bottled plums as a child, if you have any Kilner jars or room to store them. Can’t seem to paste the link but there are recipes online - you need the right sort of jar and some sugar syrup.

SAME. Plum butter is nice (look up a recipe). Or stone, freeze and use in crumbles.

Or gin?

Plum crumble

Mmm I’m envious, my plum tree is small and the squirrels took most of ours. My aunt used to make a delicious plum crumble/pie that had rolled jumbo oats on the top.

Thanks everyone - I've just given away 4kgs that I froze yesterday plus about 5kgs picked today, I've got another 8kgs to wash and prep for the freezer tonight 😩

The plum butter is bubbling away in the slow cooker and looking lush so thanks for the idea @SwallowsandAmazonians

I've made good progress on the tree - lots of dead wood down and a couple of the biggest branches off the top. What doesn't get chopped this week will have to wait for Spring.

There is still a good 20kg of plums up there but at this point I think it might be feast time for the squirrels and foxes!

Sorry nothing useful to say other than I do wish I lived next door, OP.

I'd be more than happy to help solve your problem. 😂😋

Plum gin/vodka
Chutney and/or jam
Crumble
Cake
Dry them into prunes