Over the years, I’ve experimented with a number of approaches to developing ume. I’ve fully defoliated the tree in spring, partially defoliated it, and avoided defoliating at all. I’ve let it grow stronger before pruning and kept it in shape with regular pruning. To date, I haven’t seen a big difference in how the tree responds to these different approaches.
Overall I’ve found that ume develop branch density quickly. After letting the branches grow in spring, I’ll prune in May, June, or July and expect to see a new flush of growth develop over summer.
Last year I pruned the tree in July but the tree didn’t produce any summer shoots. This made me think the tree wasn’t as strong as it had been in previous years so I let it grow freely this spring.
Large new shoots
Because the tree had grown so vigorously this spring, I’m pruning it on the early side. Instead of defoliating or partially defoliating, I’m simply cutting back to two or three buds depending on which way the buds point.
After cutback – 16″
I’ll be curious to see if the tree produces new shoots over summer. If it does, I’ll be able to prune again in fall when the leaves turn color.
In the meantime, I’ll water more and more as the temperatures heat up and fertilize the tree through summer and fall.
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Alain K. says
The Ume I have have nothing to compare with yours. I have one in full ground that flowers every year (white flowers), but the climate here is harsher than where you live and it has never produced fruit, and two that were bought as seedlings the same year, that are potted, are much smaller and have never flowered. I was wondering if I should prune these two, now you encourage me 😉
And thanks a lot for all your posts, Jonas, Mr Dupuich.
PS : to my surprise, when you type “Dupuich” in Google translate, Fr to Eng, there’s a soundfile for the pronunciation in French, which is exactly how it sould sound, except that the “-puich” part is too long.
Jonas Dupuich says
That’s great about the name, Alain – thanks! As for the ume, it can take a while for them to bloom so I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it happens sooner rather than later.
Thanks!
Marsha says
Hi Jonas, thanks for this. Very helpful. What exposure do you give your ume over the spring and summer?
Thanks
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks, Marsha! I’m keeping it under 30% this summer, but it has been fine in the sun in past years on all but the hottest days.