Wear gloves, long sleeves, eye protection, and sturdy shoes
Use clean, sharp pruning shears, loppers, or a hedge trimmer
Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches first
Cut back overgrown stems to the desired shape and size
Make cuts just above a healthy bud or branch junction
Thin crowded areas to improve airflow and light
Keep the base slightly wider than the top
Remove suckers and low unwanted growth
Step back often to check symmetry and shape
Avoid cutting more than one-third of the bush at once
Clean and disinfect tools after use
Water the bush after pruning if the soil is dry