What you do with it will depend on what your vision is for the finished tree. Can you upload a SIMPLE sketch of the cross-section profile your are trying to achieve (the approximate number of trunks, spread of trunks, and placement of head ... as it would be in the finished form.)

welcome to the forums ...

if you can post a pic.. it would sure give us a better idea of what to do ...

it is easy to prune.. when you can state a GOAL ... and we can help you with that ...

use the camera/photo button below the box you type a reply in .. and load a pic right into the reply ... wait until it clears.. before you it send ...

ken

No picture.

I had a pic in the original post but it’s not showing up. I’ll have to try to do this on my desktop when I get home. Please stand by...

Not sure why I can't get this right side up, but tilt your head to the left...

It hasn't been strapped to that pole for all this time, has it?

And your vision for it?

My vision for it? I don’t know that I have a vision for it other than I’d like it to grow into a nice full tree. I just think those really long out shoots look a little silly.

@rhizo_1 Funny you mention it, I just replaced the twine last week. We planted it roughly 3 years ago and I periodically check it and, if need be, replace the twine. In those 3 years I think I’ve replaced it 4 or 5 times.

Are the long shoots coming from the ground near the base of the tree? If so, those are root suckers and should have been cut ages ago. If you want a tree and not a bush, cut the suckers below the ground. If/when they reappear, cut them again. Repeat until they stop growing.

"I don’t know that I have a vision for it other than I’d like it to grow into a nice full tree." Let's call if preferences then. When the tree is mature, you want it to be ...

• single or multiple trunk(s)? (If multi-trunk, there would be additional questions about trunk form)
• 8' height ... 15' height ... or 25' height?
• with a canopy that is primarily over one's head? ... or that is in front of one's face (and consequently blocking/covering the window)?
• with more smaller size flower clusters ... or fewer but larger size flower clusters?

These variables are the result of decisions you make and how you treat the tree.

For its size, flower seems to be minimal. In the picture, it's in shade. How many hours per day of direct sun does it get on the average?