@Leftwood ...
I had to learn how to insert an arrow in an image before I could answer
I am thinking that after I remove one of the "three hefty top branches", I should prune the remaining branches back hard so that I don't create that "mop head" you mentioned in your post above.
Last spring, the point where they branched out was about the middle of the plant. What do you call that ? ... the point where the nurseryman took out the leader ?
I am uncertain as to how far back I should prune them, but that would reduce their dominance and allow light to the lower branches.
I've taken the photo and enlarged it and created two photos that show the growth above that point and below. Maybe that will make it easier for you to tell me what to do.
Top growth on hefty branches:
Lower growth:
It looks like Joe also removed the nodes for branches at the base of the plant on the right side of the photo. This is just a guess, but I think that means that there will never be new growth on that side of the plant at the base. Am I correct ?
I think just working on the top growth and possibly removing the one branch that touches the ground would equal the 1/4th plant reduction that you recommended, so any other pruning/shaping would have to be done the following year. Again, I am uncertain about that assumption, too, or should I still plan on cutting the lower branches back by half this year ?
Maybe I am over-thinking this whole thing, but I still feel like what I do now will have a major impact on future growth and I want to do it as well as I can.
Thank you so much for your help.
Smiles,
Lyn
