personally... in tree time... i dont prune for at least 2 or 3 years after planting .. except for damage ...

every leaf is a food making machine.. to grow the roots.. to get your tree firmly established ... so leave them there as long as needed ... and getting established.. in tree time is ... wait for it.. 2 or 3 years ... the root mass of a tree should be about the same as the tree you see above .... and if you can picture what you planted.. i am sure you will understand.. how long it might take ...

all that said.. you dont mention how planted... ball and burlap vs pot... size ... nor your location... all of which might slightly make a difference ...

why do you think it needs pruning??? .... whats your goal with such ..

welcome to the forums....

ken

Why do you want to prune it??? For what purpose??

To answer question, fall is a very poor time for any pruning. But I would have the same questions as above.....why the desire to prune a relatively newly planted tree?

Pruning activates dormate buds. If you are cold weather climate and you get some shoots from your pruning, they will probably be killed off by the winter, which is no bueno as noted by Ken above. Would suggest late winter. That will usually get you some nice active growth in the spring when the buds break. That said, it is a red bud, so it should be able to take a beating if you choose to prune now.

It is muti-trunked and I want it to grow more upright. It's bushlike now.

how big is it.. how about a pic ... you will get more precise info.. with a pic or two ...

also.. where are you.. and you will get a better answer on when to prune ....

ken

At this time of year, no further growth should occur, so why not wait till the appropriate time, as said..late winter, earliest spring? (ie what's the difference for you, in waiting?)

In addition to a photo, can you supply the botanical name it was sold under? There are some species (actually varietals of the same species) that are most often found as multi-trunked shrubs rather than clear trunked trees. In that case, pruning may not be appropriate to achieve the form you want.

And with most woody plants, you want to wait a season or two for the plant to become established before you start whacking at it.