[AlaninCarlisle]

I have a Victoria plum that I planted about 33 years ago and which has come to the end of its useful life (just a handful of plums this year). I plan to take it out and replace it with another Victoria. I'll grub out as much of the old rootball that I can and import some fresh soil before planting the new tree at the end of November.

Will I be on a loser, growing in the same place as the old one, albeit with fresh soil?

[Gardener and Rabbit]

I've only seen this done once before, but it worked fine. Sandy soil made it easy to remove and exchange quite a good amount of the old soil for fresh.

[Kleftiwallah]

I severely cut back all the branches of our Victoria plum tree back to the stem.  Last year a load of new branches appeared and we have had a very good crop of plums from it this year, also by installing a plum moth feromone trap.  I should try this before completely digging it out.

Cheers,  Tony.