Victoria Plum Tree

Hi, I am a new allotment gardener, although have been gardening for years I have never grown fruit or veg until this year. I planted a very cheap Victoria Plum tree in late Feb, being very careful not to plant it when the ground was frosty. The tree trunk seems ok but the branches sound really brittle. Then suddently after weeks of watching everyone elses trees spring into life and mine not, it started to develop leaves just at the bottom of the main trunk above the join. Does this mean it is OK or is it the rootstock growing? Also should I prume back the 8-10 branches that sound brittle and are not in leaf yet. Thanks for reading this and helping if you can- Claire

That's unusual. Could you look again at the new growth. If it is definitely above the join it won't be the rootstock, but this sort of occurence is what happens when a graft fails, and the new growth emerges just below or on the join. If you are sure it is above the join then you could prune it back to the new growth and train one shoot to be a replacement main stem. But if it were me I wouldn't bother. For all the effort, and the risk that it will fail, or that it may turn out in years to come that it IS the rootstock.I'd try and get a replacement. Last weekend I saw them cheap in  (or outside, rather) Poundland or Poundstretcher - can't remember which.   

Hi Gold1locks, thanks for replying. I am absolutely sure it is above the join. It is about 2 cms above and have two separate shoots from the main stem, these shoots have two leaves each and look very much like plum leaves. Having said that it isn't worth perservering with it as (funnily enough) I bought it from Poundstretcher for £6. Do you think I should dig it up and chuck it then?

I would, and get another one. It will fruit several years earlier than the one you've got. 

Good point and that is what an allotment is for. Thanks for your help!