Pruning at this time of year will cause the plant to become bushier and fuller. Cuts can be made at any location on the branch that contains green foliage. Never make pruning cuts behind the green foliage on a branch. Bare wood will seldom form new buds and the stubs will die without producing new foliage. Pines are pruned differently.
Pines produce a cluster of buds only at the end of the current season's growth.
Therefore, pruning cuts on pines should be made on the current season's growth or the new candles, after the shoots have fully elongated. If pines are pruned too early, too many buds may form, resulting in many weak branches in the next growing season. Pruning too late may not allow enough time for buds to form before hardening off in the fall. Pruning yew, spruce and fir is not as critical. They produce new buds all along the new shoots through the growing season.