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

Answer

Prune these circled en   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.