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Debris removal is often included in the overall cost of having a tree removed from your property. However, tree maintenance service companies do not always include debris removal in their pricing, so ask any contractors offering tree trimming cost estimates whether or not removal is included. If you want to keep the wood mulch, ask if they charge extra for it as well.

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.

Any tree that needs to be pruned should be pruned to remove dead branches at least once a year. You may need to prune far more often if you’re trying to maintain a certain shape or to save a tree that suddenly becomes infected.

Trees naturally want to grow upward, so one may straighten all by itself, though this only comes into play when a tree is leaning just a small amount. For trees growing into an awkward position or those leaning heavily in one direction, the above steps are necessary to ensure the tree gets back on the right path. This also holds true for trees planted in a spot with unstable soil.