Old Green Gage - Plum or Gage Tree

A traditional favourite, Old Greengage was derived from the Middle Ages and is popular for its classic gage flavour. Although the fruits are relatively small, the sweet flavour is wonderful and a benchmark to other varieties.

The gages are produced from early August and are greenish yellow when ripe. Old Greengage is self fertile and doesn't require a pollination partner, although a suitable partner will give the crop a boost.

AKA Prunus domestica 'Old English Greengage'

• Use: Eating Gage
• Cropping period: Mid season (Early August)
• Flavour: Classic gage
• Heritage: Middle Ages
• Pollination group: B Self fertile
• Height in 10 years*: Pixy (dwarf)3m, St Julien A (semi vigorous) 4-5m
• Position: Sheltered, full sun

*Indication of un-pruned height of this variety on different rootstocks. Variations will occur due to other factors such as planting position, pruning, geography.

Planting Old Green Gage Trees

Plum, Gage & Damson trees will not grow happily in a pot long term, they need to be planted in the ground. All other fruit trees can be container grown. Plum/gage trees should be planted at a minimum of approx. 3m between each tree. Our pot grown Old Green Gage trees can be planted at any time of the year, whereas bare root Old Green Gage trees need to be planted between November and March.

Whether planting a pot grown or bare root plum/gage tree, prepare your planting site by removing all weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole. Dig a square hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 3x as wide. To help your tree establish more effectively, apply root grow by sprinkling in the hole for pot grown trees or preparing and applying the gel mixture for bare root trees.

Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole. Using 50% of the original soil and 50% compost (avoiding multi-purpose), fill in the hole and firm around gently. Make sure not to bank the soil up around the collar of the tree. We recommend planting fruit trees using a stake and tie kit and a rabbit guard. The help and Advice section has further information and videos.

Watering Old Green Gage Trees

It is recommended to maintain a good watering regime for a couple of years whilst the fruit tree establishes. Water well and regularly through spring and summer, increasing in hot or dry weather. Once the fruit begins to swell, water again. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. Keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first few growing seasons.

Pruning Old Green Gage Trees

It is important to prune your plum/gage tree for the first few years after planting to ensure a healthy, balanced shape. Your tree should have one central leader and several strong side shoots. Straight after planting, remove the lowest laterals and prune the rest back to about 10-15cm in length. Carry out this type of formative pruning in early spring.

In the following years, remove any shoots growing out of the trunk to maintain a clear stem. Also remove any crossing, diseased or damaged branches. If your tree is looking overcrowded, remove some of the larger branches to open up the canopy. Carry out this type of pruning in spring or mid-summer.

Delivery Costs

*Free delivery promotion excludes mature trees, extra large kits and delivery to Highlands or Islands. Discount applies at checkout.

Delivery Times

Next Day Despatch
We will always try to get your plants to you as quickly as possible.  For many of our trees and plants, if you order today we will despatch your order within 24 hours.  We are constantly adding to our range of next day plants, and we do not add a surcharge for this service. Click here to see our next day delivery plants.

Standard Delivery
We have one of the widest range of trees in the UK, and for those plants which we cannot despatch next day we will normally despatch within 4 weeks. The despatch time for different products will be confirmed when products are added to your shopping basket

Pre-orders
We will only want to deliver your orders when they are perfect for planting! Depending on the season and how well the plants are growing, we will give our best estimates of the despatch dates for pre-orders.  These dates may vary and by species and while we will always try to deliver within these timeframes if the expected despatch does change then we will notify you by email.

Special Orders
Orders containing pleached or mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) are delivered within 3 weeks. They require specialist delivery and are grouped geographically. Any customers ordering pleached or mature trees will be contacted and notified of their delivery date.

If your trees are required by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible; while we can’t offer any guarantees we will always do our best to accommodate you. You can leave instructions in the notes field on the Delivery Page of the Checkout or send us an email at [email protected].

Please note that orders are shipped once all the trees in the order are ready.

Collections
Collections are by appointment only at our West Yorkshire-based nursery. If you would like to place an order for collection, please get in touch before placing your order. You will not be charged a delivery cost for a collection and any delivery cost that has been applied will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem tree: Classic tree with one trunk, pruned for a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.

Feathered tree: Branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that give the appearance of a bushy multi stem tree.

Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.