Pruned or sheared? What is your goal? The only pines that I have seen sheared have been commercial plantations for Christmas trees where they don't have time to prune individual branches or candles.

Spring time, after the candles have pushed and are ready to unfold their needles. You can prune or shear, but don't cut back to old wood, only this year's growth. Individually pruning gives a more natural look. New buds will set at the ends of your cuts, allowing the tree to take on a fuller, more compact look.

You can also snap or cut out the central growth candle in each cluster, leave the smaller ones around it to get a reduced growth rate without having to bother with shearing or cutting most of the candles. And to get less of a barbered appearance.

In either case (removing only the central candles or shearing most of the new growth) be sure to get the work done each year before the candles unfold the needles.

ACS link below.. scroll down to pines .. ken

http://conifersociety.org/conifers/designing-with-conifers/

could you also give us a pic ... and define your goal ...

pruning is easier explained ... if you can describe your goal ...

e.g. .. if you have an 8 foot plant.. in a 4 foot spot .... you simply arent going to prune it back now.. imo ...

ken