The plum tree's haircut is complete.

I finally, FINALLY finished trimming that plum tree.

My mission was to cut the top off so it was flat, which is how other people in the neighborhood do their trees.  I did most of it at the end of February while there weren't any leaves on the tree, hurt my shoulder, and then picked at the tree for the next month. 

I used my dad's chainsaw-on-a-stick, a manual trimmer on a pole, and a hedge trimmer on a pole to get the whole job done.  Now that the older thicker branches have been lopped off, the plan is to get up there on a ladder every February with the hedge trimmer and just mow it straight across the top before taking care of inner branches.  This was a huge trim, so next year I will go easy on the poor tree.

Apple on the left, plum in the middle, japanese maple on the right.

Well, it's mostly done... the last 2 tufts on the top there are for my husband who is taller with longer arms, 'cause I can't reach them without doing really precarious things on a ladder.

The best news at all is that this year we have PLUMS again!!  Lots of 'em.  Might even be able to make some preserves!