By Stikine
British Columbia,
Canada 
I have a Damson Plum tree, 5 years old. I have had it professionally pruned since I planted it in spring /08. Each year, since planting, the aphids just love it. I have to spray each week to keep them in check. I have tried ladybugs and other natural remedies but 'trounce' seems to be the only way to keep up with them. I have a European Plum, which I planted at the same time and it is not bothered by aphids or anyother pest that I can see. Is this normal for a Damson Plum. Also, the wasps, each summer and fall, are always all over the Damson Plum. It's getting kind of risky being around the tree. Is this connected to the aphids?
Stu
3 Oct, 2010
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Answers
It may take two or three years of not spraying to build up the populations of predators, so you may want to spray occasionally with organic soap to keep the aphids to a dull roar. Planting American Marigolds (Tagetes species) and/or basil nearby may help, also.
5 Oct, 2010
Thank you to owdbuggy for comments on aphids and wasps especially glad to hear support for wasps!
I usually go out and squash the occasionally aphid, but difficult with a tall tree! time to attract the blue tits! VERY efficient at eating aphids off my roses.
30 Jan, 2011
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The wasps for most of the year will be eating the aphids.
We have a hedge of Damson, plus a dozen trees in a small wood and the main one in the garden proper. I have never sprayed them with anything at all. Yes, they get aphids on them, but the trees do not seem to suffer and the one tree alone produces somewhere in the region of 100 pounds of fruit in a normal season. Perhaps you could consider just leaving the Damosn alone and see what happens. Eventually nature balances itself out and natural predators will keep the aphids at a reasonable level.
4 Oct, 2010