Victoria Plum Pruning?

I have a year old tree and it is full of fruit and very healthy. I have one branch that must have grown at least 2 feet in the last couple of weeks. Its not in the way of anything in the garden and is full of fruit it just looks really odd as it is so much longer than all the other branches. Is it ok to leave it and have a good talking point when people come round, cos it really does look bizarre, it must be at least 8 feet long and its one of the lower branches, bit like a triffid. However will it become weak if i leave it or should i prune it back a bit, seems a shame to lose the fruit on it though.

 

Do you mean you've had it a year? If it's really only a year old I'm surprised it's got side branches, let alone fruit on them!
Victorias are well known for producing long whippy growth, and also the wood is quite brittle when it's grown so you have to consider the overshall shape you want your tree to be. It always seems a shame to prune off fruiting branches but with a victoria you have to get used to it; they have a very messy growth habit, and also if you let the branches get too long they can break when weighted down with fruit. Pruning is best done in Spring or early summer when it is growing strongly, as winter pruning encourages silverleaf disease. I tend to nip out the ends of long shoots during the growing season, but only prune branches if they are crossing etc.

 

I guess I have only had it a year, it was about 5 feet tall when I got it and is now at least 9 feet tall. My friend and I were looking at it today and she said about supporting it as it is full of fruit and as they get bigger it will drop and probably drag on the floor. I was made aware of this silver leaf disease, I think I will lose the fruit and prune the branch back rather than wait for the winter. Thanks for the info, i will keep more of an eye on it now to ensure it doesnt get too messy.