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No, you don’t need a pruning seal for trees post-trim. Pruning seals (applied to the cut ends of branches) are widely sold but they aren’t designed for every tree and in many cases can cause more harm. Trees have their own healing processes after pruning, so the best thing you can do is supply them with plenty of water and add some dormant-style fertilizer.

Pruning seals are primarily recommended for very vulnerable species like elm trees in areas where dangerous tree diseases like Dutch elm disease are spreading. In these cases, a sealant’s protection outweighs its downsides.

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.

A serrated knife will work for cutting off small palm tree fronds, about 1 inch in diameter. For larger fronds, you will need pruning shears. You may also use a pruning saw, and if your palm tree is especially tall, an extended pole saw can help you reach the brown fronds around the trunk.

Late August, September, and mid-October are the ideal months for planting a young tree. However, the best time to plant a tree ultimately depends on when the weather transitions to fall-like conditions and eventually winter frost. As long as the hottest days of summer have passed and the ground hasn’t frozen yet, you can still successfully plant trees.