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Hi Oscarr--Toni asked me to respond to your question about pruning tree peonies. It's generally a good idea to let a tree peony do its thing the first few years after planting. In about the third year you can begin to consider a pruning program. Has the growth become quite dense? If so, you may want to cut out extra growth in the interior. Select the strongest branches (six or so toward the outside) as the ones to become the major stems of the plant and prune away the rest. The peony will then be able to concentrate its strength on flowering in its main branches, as opposed to continuing production of exuberant leaf growth. Opening up the interior will also reduce chances for fungus growth, letting more light and air circulate through the plant. Some oriental gardeners prefer to have the woody stems showing around the peony's base. If you think you'd like that look, you can prune out leaf buds on the remaining branches low to the ground. Be sure to make clean cuts right next to the stem without leaving a stub. Happy Gardening! Larry☼
