Cut off a dead branch at the point it leaves the central trunk.

Trim the green tips of the podocarpus to shape the tree or encourage fullness. Prune the outermost growth very lightly to create hedges. Act in July or August to experience a second flush of growth.

If you leave the lower limbs of a Podocarpus unpruned, they will reach the ground, resembling a spruce. Prune the lower branches if you want to show the peeling, light brown bark.

So, be extra careful not to overwater during winter!

You can prune. Podocarpus tree pruning 09, The good news is that podocarpus will take any amount of pruning and training so don't be afraid to prune yours back. You can completely remove some of the branches/stems by reaching into the center of the plant and pruning them off. This will result in the production of healthy new stems.

You can also shorten some of the branches and stems with hand pruners. Regular pruning keeps podocarpus hedges and columns looking attractive. The University of Florida recommends pruning these trees using a hand pruner, rather than an electric hedge trimmer, for best results. Avoid pruning large amounts from the tree at once. Nov 23, Pruning or shearing to shape your Podocarpus for formal hedges or shapes can be performed almost any time of year.

This gives them an attractive, irregular, oval silhouette as they get older.

That said, to avoid damage to new growth that is stimulated by pruning, cease pruning your Podocarpus plants two months prior to the average first frost date in your area. Pruning can resume after the plant has gone dormant in winter.