A few years ago the old gnarled plum tree in the garden stopped producing any fruit. It was so very old and overgrown and I knew it might not make it through another winter.
I missed being able to go out and pick the sweet prune plums it reliably produced each August. I almost missed shooing away the old Italian men who would lean over the fence to pilfer a ripe plum (or five) and smile sweetly at me when I caught them, assuring me that “the owner said I could help myself!”.
What else could be done other than to call the arborist and, upon his recommendation, prune the poor old plum tree within an inch of it’s life.
The tree survived the winter but did not blossom and produced no plums. Same the following year.
This year, however, the tree was filled with fragrant spring blossoms. I held my breath. By late June I could see the baby, unripe plums hanging from the branches. I crossed my fingers.
And now, in early September we have a bumper crop of deep purple beauties that bring such a smile to my face.
We have been eating them out of hand and sharing them with the neighbours. Now it was time for a plum cake. The sweet tart plums combined with a cake spiced with nutmeg and cardamom.
If you happen to have some prune plums on hand and feel like giving this recipe a try you can find it here. This cake is wonderful all on its own but if you feel like gilding the lily you can serve this with a bit of whipping cream that has been scented with some cardamom.
xo J
PS I haven’t forgotten about the peach jam recipe and will post it on Thursday or Friday when I have just a bit more time.
Oh I’m jealous! The last two years I’ve had a miserable crop of prune plums and they are my favourites! I was even drying them and making my own delicious prunes. I know ours needs a good pruning, along with the pear tree that hasn’t given us pears in a few years now also.
What time of the year did you get the arborist to come and prune it?
Hi Bonnie, sorry, I kind of forgot about your question… We had the arborist come in the fall but ideally you want them to come right before bud burst in spring. Never prune in winter. I have a good arborist who is reasonable in price if you are looking for someone. Best money spent! xo J
What a lovely vignette—and your cake looks glorious.
Thanks Tracy. I am working on finding you a good apple cake recipe!
Ah, then there is hope for my really old apple tree with the most delicious apples – it was crushed by a falling maple in a spring windstorm and we have cut it back to almost nothing! Already there are new branches sprouting, but I wasn’t sure we would ever get another apple – so we shall see in 2 years!
Luckily there are scads of plums at the market – and this cake looks so fabulous, I might have to figure out a gluten-free version! xo
Let me see what I can come up with. A good challenge for me to start making some of these recipes gluten free. I will keep you posted.
I wish I had known as I would have pilfered some myself! The cake looks simply delicious.