What do you mean by substantial? Not the worst time to prune but bordering on it :-) If you can, it would be better waiting until fall......better yet, full winter. If you must do it now, take off as little as you can get away with and save any "substantial" pruning for a better time.

I have a witches broom of Sango kale. Might need to reduce its size by a third 🤣🤣 It looks like a lozenge.

Need to take a lower branch off the evergreen.

@gardengal, Sango kaku - not kale. Autocorrect…

I should have taken care of it in late winter but it did not bother me like it is right now.

What gal said. Pix of the plants and an idea of what you intend to do to them would be needed.

tj

Will go get the pics this evening

You may have lucked out :-) Pruning of Japanese maples is often suggested at this time of year. There is less chance of heavy "bleeding" - which JM's are known for - now than at just about any other time of year. Thinning is fine but keep it to a very light hand....no more than a 20-25% crown reduction.

any reason you are avoiding the conifer and tree forums???

Because they already posted HERE!! There is no need to repost elsewhere