Kitchen Garden Forum

I have sadly discovered one of our plum trees has 'Silver Leaf' there are many branches where the leaves have died back and many of the new shoots have ended up with leaves curled up and looking decidely unwell!!

Has anyone been able to 'recover' a tree which has this disease, we had a very dry spring this year which hasn't helped.

I have not much experience but somebody in the village asked my advice this Spring. They had a tree that half seemed to have it and was dying back. I suggested cutting that off and treating the wound. Later in the year the rest of the tree went the same way so they took it out. So my limited experience is that the best bet is get rid then have a clean start in the Autumn.

Are you sure it is Silver Leaf. Sounds a bit like Die back to me. the leaves will shrivel and die back from the tips. One of the reasons could be from a very wet winter and bad drainage waterlogging. or can be caused by diseases. Either way cut back to healthy wood but as Geoff says might be better to cut your losses and start again with a healthy tree.

Beryl.

Geoff / Beryl - Thanks for your suggestions, I didn't think about 'Die Back' and on reflection I must admit it could be this. Either way it looks bad

Two years ago this was a hugely productive tree, we used to get far more than we could eat from it. So I would like to save it if possible 'tho it's not looking good right now.

I've given it a pretty drastic 'haircut' and removed all of the branches where it looks like the leaves are shriveled up or dead. I'll watch those that look OK right now but since we are comming into Autumn they will be falling soon.

I have a feeling you are both right and I should really get it out now but I might wait 'till spring as we do have another tree which will provide us with fruit next year.

Thanks again for your input.

Hello Losos
There is a condition known as false silver leaf which as it name suggests is easily confused with the real thing. False SL occurs when growing conditions are less than ideal. If you think the tree is worth saving I would give it another chance next year as you have suggested. As large parts of your tree seem to be suffering I wonder if you do not in fact have SL which will start in one branch of the tree and spread slowly over a number of years to the whole tree.
Plums are very fickle when it comes to fruiting and a good year can easily be followed by a lean year or two particularly if the weather was bad at blossom time - very cold around here earlier this year.
I have a few fruit trees and when they get sad I give them a really good dose of lime in a wide area under the tree after the leaves have fallen. This washes in during the winter and perks the tree up no end next year. My soil is very light and slightly acidic so this 'cure' might not work in your situation.

John