Plum Trees in France: One-Hectare Plot Establishment and Work Schedule

Quick Read / The Essentials of the Plum Tree

The plum tree (Prunus domestica) is a fruit tree highly valued in professional orchards for the quality and diversity of its fruit. To ensure optimal production, it is essential to carefully prepare the soil, choose suitable varieties and ensure good irrigation and fertilization management .

A successful plum orchard relies primarily on the choice of vigorous and well-acclimatized plants . As a specialist wholesale supplier of plum plants , Arboriverse offers you a wide range of quality plants, adapted to the requirements of professional arborists.

If you want to buy plum trees , the ideal planting period is between November and March , with a recommended spacing of 5-6 m between rows and 3-4 m in the row , or 400 to 600 trees per hectare . Pollination is a determining factor for the productivity of plum trees: some varieties are self-fertile, such as the Italian Quetsche , while others benefit from cross-pollination , such as the Allo Plum or the Reine-Claude d'Oullins .

Installing a drip irrigation system ensures a regular and controlled water supply , which is particularly crucial during dry periods and the first few years. In addition, thinning the fruit improves its size and quality.

Thanks to its expertise, Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of plum plants , can help you select the right varieties for your region and your production goals. If you are considering purchasing plum plants , trust our expertise for a successful and profitable planting .

Typical Layout for a One Hectare Plot of Plum Trees

1. Preparation of the ground

• Soil Test: Conduct a complete soil test to determine its composition, pH, and nutrient requirements. The ideal pH for plum trees is between 6.0 and 6.5.
• Deep soil cultivation:
  • Subsoil to a depth of 60-80 cm to loosen the soil and improve drainage.
  • Carry out deep plowing to a depth of 30-40 cm to loosen the topsoil.
• Soil amendment:
  • Add 30 to 40 tonnes of well-rotted manure or compost per hectare to enrich the soil with organic matter.
  • If necessary, add lime to correct the pH (quantity to be determined according to the soil analysis).
• Background fertilization:
  • Add 100 to 150 kg/ha of P2O5 (phosphorus) and 200 to 250 kg/ha of K2O (potassium) depending on the results of the soil analysis.
• Final preparation:
  • Harrow the soil to obtain a fine and homogeneous structure over the first 20-30 centimeters.
  • Form mounds 30-40 cm high and 1 m wide to improve drainage, especially in heavy or wet soils.
• Drainage: If necessary, install a drainage system to prevent overwatering, as plum trees are susceptible to root asphyxiation.
• Soil Rest: Allow the soil to settle naturally for 2 to 3 months before planting.
• Staking: Mark the location of future trees.

2. Planting

• Planting time: The best time to plant a plum tree is in the fall or early winter (November to March).
• Density: The recommended spacing is 5-6 m between rows and 3-4 m within the row, or approximately 400 to 600 trees per hectare.
• Planting holes: Dig holes 3 to 4 times larger than the root ball.
• Planting: Mix the base soil with compost and crushed horn. Do not water in the late afternoon during frosty periods and monitor drainage when planting.
• Staking: A stake can be useful to help the tree stabilize, especially during planting.

3. Irrigation

• Irrigation system: Installation of the irrigation system (drip recommended).
• Water requirements: Regular watering is necessary, especially during the first years of growth and during periods of drought. It is important not to saturate the soil, as plum trees do not tolerate excess moisture.

4. Choice of varieties

• Pollination:
  • The Reine-Claude d'Oullins plum tree is self-fertile but can also serve as an excellent pollinator for other plum trees.
  • The Italian Plum is self-fertile, but cross-pollination with other varieties such as the Reine Claude or the Agen plum can improve production.
  • The Allo Plum Tree is partially self-fertile, which means that it benefits from good pollination in the presence of other varieties flowering at the same time.
• Disease resistance: Choose disease-resistant varieties. The Reine-Claude d'Oullins plum tree has good resistance to diseases, particularly monilia.

5. Marketing channels

• For a plum tree sales site aimed at professionals, it would be wise to offer varieties adapted to different marketing channels (direct sales, processing, sales to supermarkets), with an emphasis on productivity, disease resistance and fruit quality depending on their destination (fresh consumption, processing, etc.).

10-Year Work Schedule for a One-Hectare Plum Plot

Year 0 (Preparation and planting)

• Autumn :
  • Soil analysis and amendments if necessary.
  • Addition of 30-50 t/ha of composted manure.
• Winter: Deep plowing (40-50 cm) and subsoiling if necessary.
• End of winter: Planting of trees with a spacing of 5-6 m between rows and 3-4 m in the row (400-600 trees/ha).
• Spring: Installation of the irrigation system.

Year 1

• Spring: Formative pruning to establish the tree's framework.
• Summer: Weekly watering (20-30 L/tree).
• Autumn: Application of 20-30 g of nitrogen per tree.

Year 2

• Winter: Formative pruning (removal of poorly placed branches).
• Spring: Fertilization (30-40 g of nitrogen per tree).
• Summer: Continue irrigation (30-40 L/tree/week).

Year 3

• Winter: Last training pruning.
• Spring: Fertilization (50-60 g of nitrogen per tree).
• Summer: Irrigation (40-50 L/tree/week).
• Autumn: First small harvest possible (1-2 kg/tree).

Year 4

• Winter: Start of fruiting pruning.
• Spring: Fertilization (70-80 g of nitrogen per tree).
• Summer: Irrigation (50-60 L/tree/week), manual thinning if necessary.
• End of summer: Harvest (5-10 kg/tree).

Year 5 and beyond (full production)

• Winter: Annual fruiting pruning.
• Spring: Fertilization (100-120 g of nitrogen per tree).
• Spring-summer: Phytosanitary treatments according to the specifications.
• Summer: Irrigation (60-80 L/tree/week), thinning.
• End of summer: Harvest (20-50 kg/tree depending on the variety).

Recurring annual works

• Weed control: mechanical weeding or mulching.
• Monitoring of pests and diseases, treatments if necessary.
• Maintenance of the irrigation system.
• Green pruning (removal of suckers) in summer.

Weed control (calendar after planting)

Year 1

• Mulching (0-3 months): Apply a thick organic mulch (10-15 cm) around the young plants.
• Mechanical weeding (3-12 months): Carry out superficial hoeing every 15-20 days.

Year 2-3

• Intercrop rotation (spring): Introduce choke crops between the rows.
• False sowing (August to October): Prepare the soil, wait for the weeds to emerge, then destroy them mechanically.
• Thermal weeding (spring-summer): Use a thermal weeder on young weeds.

Year 4 and beyond

• Tillage (autumn): Carry out superficial stubble cultivation immediately after harvesting.
• Controlled grassing (spring): Sow a mixture of low-competition species between the rows.
• Biological control (spring-summer): Introduce predatory insects specific to the weeds present.
• Mulching (spring): Apply a 5-7 cm thick layer of organic mulch to the row.

This schedule is indicative and may vary depending on climatic conditions, soil type and cultivated varieties. It is important to adapt practices to local conditions and field observations.

To summarize: the Plum Tree

Plum cultivation requires careful soil preparation , optimal tree spacing , and careful monitoring of irrigation and fertilization . Well-drained soil rich in organic matter promotes deep rooting and harmonious tree growth .

The recommended spacing in a traditional orchard is 5 to 6 meters between rows and 3 to 4 meters within the row , or a density of 400 to 600 trees per hectare . It is recommended to plant the trees between November and March to allow for optimal rooting. Staking is recommended to stabilize the young plants and promote their growth.

Drip irrigation allows for efficient water management and avoids excess moisture , which is harmful to plum trees. Formative pruning in the early years is essential to structure the tree, while fruiting pruning promotes good fruit set and renewal of productive wood .

Regarding pollination , some varieties such as Reine-Claude d'Oullins or Quetsche d'Italie are self-fertile , but others require a compatible pollinator to ensure abundant production. Selecting disease-resistant varieties is also a key factor in limiting phytosanitary treatments and optimizing yield.

For a successful and profitable orchard, it is essential to source certified and selected plants . Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of plum plants , guarantees you plants adapted to the requirements of professional arboriculturists , with high vigor and excellent productivity .

If you want to buy plum plants , we offer quality plants adapted to different marketing channels (direct sales, processing, export). Our experts will help you optimize your orchard and guarantee regular and profitable production .