Prune in late winter or very early spring before new growth starts
Use sharp, clean pruning tools
Remove dead, damaged, diseased, or crossing branches first
Cut out suckers from the base and any water sprouts
Remove weak, crowded, or inward-growing branches
Select a few main trunks if shaping a multi-trunk tree
Thin small branches from the center to improve airflow
Make cuts at the branch collar without leaving stubs
Reduce height by cutting back to a lateral branch or bud
Avoid topping or cutting all main branches to the same height
Remove spent seed heads only if desired
Limit pruning to moderate amounts each year
Disinfect tools between cuts if disease is present
Clean up and dispose of removed branches properly