Make
sure that you have Auto Parent and Auto
Simplify turned off.
Click image for larger version
Select
the Trunk_Root and then attach the handle
to the top of the tree trunk, for me
it was Trunk_6.
Click image for larger version
Continue
to use the IK Spline Handle Tool to
create Spline handles on each of the
branches. Start on the joint closest
to the top of the tree trunk and then
put the handle right on the tip of the
branch.