Question
My aralia had grown to over 10 feet tall.  It is getting too tall for the space (it is outdoors.)  It has never lost any of the bottom foliage so it it also rather full.  My question is can it be pruned?  I would like to keep it at a more manageable height since it is in my front small courtyard and apparently really likes it there.  

Thank you.

Answer
Hi Trudy, you can shape it to your hearts content, just don't hit the main trunk, and if you want to take out shoots, make sure to remove the entire stem back to the trunk; shape it like you were an artist, cut, stand back and observe, then see where it is out of shape and move back in and shape some more, don't do it all from up close, because you cannot get a true perspective that way...Nick