My Plum Tree needs help! - Lanarkshire Scotland

I do hope someone will be able to help me. We planted a Plum Tree (about 7ft high) this year. She was looking very healthy, was given the best care when planting. However in the last two weeks the top has died back (see my photo). The rest of the tree seems to be doing fine, and the leaves are looking healthy. However the top has died :( What should I do? Do I just top her and settle for her not growing any bigger, which would be a great shame. Would really appreciate any advice.

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner

If you cut it out the 2 shoots at the bottom will take over as leaders. I'd check the ground isn't waterlogged as drainage problems can cause dieback.

 

Thank you Zigs The ground she is planted in is clay, but this year has been the first year where we have actually not had it waterlogged (although it has been in the past). We have dug in a lot of grit, soil improver, compost etc, and over the past years grown potatoes in it (was told that could improve it and break up the clay). When she was planted the ground was looking pretty good. Don't know if it could be very wet much lower down though. :(