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Late winter is ideal, but if you’re pruning apple trees in the spring, prune them as early as possible in the season. You want to ensure your tree is just creeping out of dormancy and hasn’t started pushing out new growth. If you prune your tree too late into spring, you generally won’t see results until the following year.

That said, there’s no pruning season for unhealthy growth. Remove dead, dying, or diseased branches as soon as you notice them, regardless of the time of year.

Completely topping a plum tree is a risky business. Cut too much, and you’ll kill your tree. That said, you do need to trim the top of your tree to encourage bushy growth, maintain your tree’s vase shape, and limit size. 

A plum tree's central leader (or trunk) should never extend more than 3 feet above the highest branch. When you first plant your tree, cut the central leader so it’s 2 to 3 feet tall. As it grows, cut it back 12 to 20 inches until it reaches its desired height. Never prune more than one-third of the new growth.

State and local laws vary, but in most cases, you are allowed to trim any branches from your neighbor's tree that cross your property line. However, it's important to ensure you do not damage the overall health of the tree in the process. Removing branches incorrectly can jeopardize the health of the tree and could lead to you being on the hook to replace it.

While trees can grow in the curb strip between the sidewalk and the street, this placement often poses the problem of interfering with overhead power lines. It’s best to consult your local utility provider and tree planting service before transplanting a tree that might grow into power lines. Also, you should never work within 20 feet of a live power line to avoid the risk of electric shock. Tree branches should never touch nearby power lines, so it’s essential to ensure your tree isn’t in danger of growing too close to them.