[Sally A]

The 3 or 4 plum trees in my garden are ancient (40 poss 50 years old) and I wasn't expecting much of them this year, as they were loaded and the rain made a few go off, but must say I'm delighted and inundated with the crop and so far all have been maggot free.

The trees haven't had any attention for years. is there anything I should do to them after fruiting?

[richyrich7]

be careful when pruning plum trees there's a certain time of year that's best, but I can't remember when, it's because they can contract a disease from the cuts and some people paint them.

Here you go a RHS guide.

[hurting back]

I severely pruned my plum tree last year after the plums were eaten. really thought I had killed it but no. This year had the most plums ever and hardly any maggots. funny thing is there was hardly any blossom on it but the plums hare hanging like cherries. gorgeous

[muntjac]

all fruit trees when pruned or cut should be treated with wound sealer the one i use and can reccomend is  "arbrex heal seal " it comes in a bottle with a plastic brush head  you just dry the wound with a bit of paper towelling and paint it direct on, incidently i do my pruning on all my fruit tres in november  before the  silver leaf disease can get hold in real cold weather