You may be able to prune it as early as late November.
Use pruning shears or loppers for this purpose. Pick the tallest and oldest branches first. The oldest growth will be the widest, heaviest branches. Cut those off near the ground. Try not to even leave a stub above the ground. [4] X Research source You can take 1 to 5 branches or about a third of the branches.
If the branches are larger than 0. 5 inches (1. 3 cm), use lopping shears.
After you use this technique, make sure you pay special attention to watering and fertilizing the plant.
Lateral buds are ones that grow to the side instead of up. Cut just above a healthy bud, leaving about 0. 25 inches (0. 64 cm) of branch above it. It’s important to cut some side branches off, as after thinning the bush, some branches may become leggy. Simply pick branches that are at a 45-degree angle to main trunks and are about half the size. Trim them back close to the trunk. [8] X Research source
As you’re trimming for height, cut some branches down into the plant rather than right at the height you want. That way, you’re creating space in the top.
As you prune the plant for shaping or pick pruning, curve the plant back in towards the top, creating an “A” shape. That creates space at the bottom for the plant to get more light. [12] X Research source
