Pruning can trigger growth some times so leave that for late Fall when the tree has gone dormant and you can see branches once the leaves fall. In the middle of the hot Summer months, just have some lemonade and just let the tree be. I am suffering thru 100+ temps and few shrubs are blooming so I let my hibiscuses bloom if they want, but if they do not want, well, I understand it is too hot for that. Hee, hee, hee! ;o) Stay cool!

Love that quote, Luis "In the middle of the hot Summer months, just have some lemonade and just let the tree be."