How do I revive a dead plum tree?

[js522495]

my fiancee and I found a plum tree the other day while we were getting rid of roman sailors! unfortunately the roman sailors took all or most of the water from the poor plum tree so it only has a few live branches on it and the rest are rotten right through. what would be the best way to revive it?

[hendi_alex]

I assume that the plumb tree is grafted. If the live growth is above the graft then there is hope to save the tree. On damaged trees, I cut all dead and rotten material back until the cut has only clean wood. After pruning, let the plant shoot out new growth, and gradually prune to select main branches to give the tree the desired shape. You may want to google the proper shape for plum trees, to help guide your selection of central leader and placement of retained branches.

[js522495]

thanks a bunch! will do!