Use clean, sharp pruning shears
Wear gloves
Remove dead, damaged, or diseased canes first
Cut back crossing or rubbing stems
Make each cut about 1/4 inch above an outward-facing bud
Cut at a 45-degree angle
Remove weak, thin growth
Trim canes to the desired height and shape
Cut away suckers growing from below the graft union
Disinfect tools before and after cutting
Remove all cut debris from around the plant