Question
Matthew,

I asked a question a few days ago about pruning a Chinese Pistache tree, and you answered my question.  Below is a summary of that question and answer, but i did have a follow-up question.

ORIGINAL QUESTION:
Below are a couple of direct links to photos of a Chinese Pistache tree I planted the spring of 2011.  Do I need to prune off the top of the long branch on the right side of the tree, or should I just leave it alone?  I know CP trees are awkward when young but develop into nice looking ornamental shade trees.  I also read that they need a little bit of training too in order to develop properly.  If you do recommend that I prune it, how much of it should I prune?  Any advice you could give me would be helpful.

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n616/samnsarah/DSCN3449.jpg

Here is another photo of the same branch but taken from the other side of the tree:
http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n616/samnsarah/DSCN3450.jpg

Thanks,
Tim

YOUR ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION:
If this were my tree I would slightly prune the very tips of the main leaders. Prune back about 6-9" to another lateral shoot. This will encourage lateral growth rather than the elongated growth habit that the tree is currently exhibiting. That being said, Chinese Pistache are quite awkward when young. This tree does seem to have a bit of a "lion's tailed" form though. Do not prune anything internally for several seasons. Leave all the smaller suckers that you may otherwise be likely to prune.

Hope this helps.

My follow up question is, what would be considered a lateral end?  I know it's hard to see in these photos, but when I look closely at the tree I see some small branches beginning to form down further on the long solo branch, approximately 3 feet from the top.  However, I only see sprigs of leaves towards the end of this branch.  Should I prune this branch all the way down to where I see those small branches growing out or just the end of the branch, even thought I don't see any small branches beginning to form there?  If I prune just the end, will the tree force branches to grow just below the cut?

Thanks again,
Tim

Answer
Tim:

You should look closely at the end of the branches and within the grouping of leaves you will see what look like bud sites that may be dormant. Prune the ends off of the tree just forward of these dormant bud sites. This will trigger a growth response and the bud will emerge. Do not prune arbitrarily without a bud behind the cut. The result will be disorganized shoot development. You should be able to find buds a short 6" from the end of the branches.

Matthew Clemons