I've been wanting to prune our Greengage tree for years, but not being there in the Autumn/Winter pruning months, I haven't had the opportunity. I didn't want to cut branches down that were covered in leaves.
Luckily Kimbo is at the cottage at the moment, and he offered to help. We discussed via WhatsApp exactly where and what he should cut, and here is the result. He's done a great job; exactly what I wanted.
I asked him to cut much higher than it will eventually be. I know exactly where I want the three main branches to end, and how much of the young growth to retain. I want it to be 'goblet' shaped, and 'airy'. I shall exercise my Chainsaw, and Secateurs, when I arrive next June.
The poor old tree had become old and ungainly over the years, and many of the higher branches were dying. It will now be given renewed vigour. Now that's it so much smaller, I might even give it a wee dose of diluted Tar Oil, to keep any bugs away.
The Greengage Jam I made this past Summer was delicious, and I'm hoping to make a lot more in 2026.
These are some of the lower branches that have been retained. As you can see there is plenty of fruit on them. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that we haven't stopped its 2026 fruit production totally; I'm confident that we haven't.
I'll let you know next August.
I had to look up greengage. In Germany the have the French name reineclaude, isn´t that funny? We also have a yellow variety which always is a bit watery, but maybe the green ones have more flavour.
ReplyDeleteHilde in Germany
Yes, Reine Claude in French. It's rather an old fashioned fruit these days. It becomes extremely sweet when fully ripe, so they need to be gathered whilst still 'not quite ripe'. They make wonderful Jam.
DeleteOur gardener friend told us not to prune our old greengage tree in winter but to do it gradually in summer. I don't think it helped much as we still didn't get much fruit from it.
ReplyDeleteI seem to be doing both. Hard cutting back in Winter, then more delicate pruning in Summer. The best (or worst) of both worlds.
DeleteYour Kimbo never stops giving 😁 amazing what you can through social media.
ReplyDeleteI know how satisfying it is to have those trees trimmed and cleaned. Our citrus trees kept on producing even after a very stiff haircut.
The lower branches (that we're keeping) have always had plenty of fruit. It'll simply be a matter, next year, of gathering every single Plum for my Jam.
DeleteI don't think Greengages grow here, though I've no idea why. Something to do with the climate I suppose.
ReplyDeleteIt's rather sad to walk round and see all the fruit on the ground just rotting away in gardens where the owners probably come for a few weeks in the holiday season. Some of the orange and lemon trees are still laden with fruit.
I'm afraid we're guilty of that, especially with our Apples. We do try to make preserves, but there's so much!
DeleteWhat a good son Kimbo is... unless of course he is just trying to cement his presence in your will. Looks like he secured a plum job!
ReplyDeleteHe's a good boy. Always ready to help.
DeleteI've always wanted to try Greengages. I don't think they grow here and the young trees are impossible to find for sale.
ReplyDeleteI think they grow from pips too; so if you could find some....
DeleteTechnology makes it so much easier to consult from miles away.
ReplyDeleteIt was just like being there. He pointed to the tree, and I just said yes or no, or up a bit or down a bit.
DeleteI'm sure the greengage tree will reward you for helping it to survive - flis x
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it'll be grateful. It needed doing.
Deletedshjj
ReplyDeletesptff
DeleteNice work. Let's hope your tree produces well after the trim.
ReplyDeleteMy fingers are crossed.
DeleteYou have just reminded me of a lovely old film, The Greengage Summer. Filmed in France.
ReplyDelete