I have very limited experience with these plants, however, that experience was in keeping them trimmed in a very space limited environment.

So yes, be diligent in trimming. Sorry, no pictures.

it might need more shearing

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reducing a large shrub significantly ... is better done by hand ... to reduce the structure ... further back than your 'goal' ... and then once it recovers.. then you can start shearing it again ...

though they are commonly called 'shrubs' .. these are trees otherwise know as conifers .. and rules are a bit different for such ...you might have found more mavens.. had you also posted in those forums also ...

see link from conifer soc ... if i can find it.. lol ..

ken

go figure .. i found it ...

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

I don't have photos, either, but I've seen Podocarpus sheared, espaliered, pruned heavily, etc. Give it a try.

If it's still small you should be able to keep it that way for many years with tip pruning. However taking a bigger one and trying to lop or saw it back to 3 ft., have an attractive and healthy outcome would be a different matter.

Thank you all very much. I will be starting with new plants. I appreciate the comments and feel better about going forward. Yes, I will pinch or hand prune.

Try doing a web search for "pruning podocarpus".