I've got two fully mature plum trees on my property that are fruiting so well this Summer. In Spring, I released 9000 lady bugs to ward off another aphid infestation, which ruined the trees last Summer. I tend to the trees daily, removing rotting and diseased plums so to give other plums a fighting chance to ripen.

The neighborhood is home to a fairly large quaker parrot population, whom I allow to eat from the top of the trees. The bottom half of the trees is netted so that the parrots won't clear out the entire crop.

When I first bought the property, two years ago, I was shocked to find an entire neighborhood accustomed to helping itself to the plums-- without permission and without any kind of exchange from their own gardens. They had a prior relationship with the prior owners and expected grandfathered rights of some kind.

Most of the plums I pick I end up giving to neighbors, friends, family, co-workers. It's a lovely time of year.

If anyone is in the NYC area and would like some, drop me a message :)