trimming shrubs to grow like a tree

Question

I have two Purple Beautyberry shrubs, planted in spring of 2015. They are doing very well, however their skinny branches fall down as a weeping willow, as a shrub. I would prefer they each grow into a single trunk tree with the falling branches as a willow tree. It is SO beautiful with the lavender/purple berries. Is it doable to cut back 1/3 of the branches as suggested in your “shrub” article? I would cut mostly the ones on the outer perimeter of the main “stalk” of 6 -8 1/2″ shrub trunks. It would have been cool to braid the 1/2″ trunks when it was younger but I read that would not have been a good idea. I LOVE all your articles 🙂

Answer 1

trimming shrubs to grow like a tree