Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts
Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches first
Cut out suckers at the base
Remove weak, crowded, or inward-growing stems
Thin select larger stems back to the trunk or main branches
Do not top or “crape murder” the tree
Keep the natural vase or tree shape
Make cuts just outside the branch collar
Use clean, sharp pruning tools
Remove spent seed heads only if desired
Limit pruning to no more than about one-third of the plant at a time
For large trees, remove lower limbs gradually over several seasons