Prunus domestica 'Cambridge Gage' RHS AGM – one of the most popular greengages, because it is reliable and produces delicious green fruits with yellow flesh.This is partly self-fertile and fruits are ready in late July Prune plum trees are mostly available from June to August, as the field-grown trees are lifted from nurseries during the deciduous dormancy period to be supplied to garden centres.

Prunus cerasifera 'Golden Sphere' – a very hardy Mirabelle cherry plum, with large fruits that are good for eating and cooking.Prunus insititia 'Farleigh Damson' RHS AGM – also known as 'Farleigh' and 'Farleigh Prolific', this is one of the best damsons, especially if pollinated with another variety.Good for eating and cooking, it’s self-fertile, but as it flowers mid-season, it can be cross-pollinated with most other plum trees Prunus domestica 'Marjorie's Seedling' – reliable and disease-resistant, the fruits ripen in September and October.Victoria plums are usually grafted on to a semi-dwarfing rootstock, so trees are compact and a good choice for small to medium-sized gardens. Prunus domestica 'Victoria' – the best-known variety, produces heavy crops of delicious, egg-shaped fruits, ideal for jams and chutneys as well as eating straight from the tree.Once trees become more established, make sure that you only prune branches that have not produced fruit that year, removing all dead wood. There should be sufficient branches at the top of the tree to absorb nutrients that feed the leader, with some shorter branches further down to feed the stem or trunk. The method is similar to how to prune a cherry tree and many other fruit trees. These smaller branches can then be pruned at an angle, immediately above a healthy bud,’ Mark adds. When you prune in the second year, make sure there are at least three branches below the cut of the central leader branch. ‘When trimming trees in their first year, always make sure that you cut the central leader branch to just above a bud, ensuring that there are at least three buds remaining on the branch. ‘When pruning trees of three years and younger, it’s best to go with a vase format, with a short trunk and three to four major branches extending from it at a 45-degree angle to allow plenty of light and air into the tree,’ explains Mark Hewett, expert at garden tools brand WOLF-Garten (opens in new tab). Knowing how to prune plum trees, especially when they are young, will help to establish strong and healthy growth, which will result in plentiful crops of juicy plums to enjoy.

(Image credit: Alamy/Nigel Cattlin) What is the best way to prune a plum tree?

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