Help with pruning Harry Lauder's Walking Stick, 2 questions

Hello, I have a Harry Lauder's Walking Stick that I moved from my old home to this one a year and a half ago. It has been suggested to me by someone nice here (I cannot remember the name sorry) that I should prune as branches have crossed over others and I am afraid of damage to them with wind etc. I am going to get a book to learn about pruning trees and shrubs but I believe I should be pruning this shrub soon? If anyone can give me instructions or suggestions I would appreciate it. I suppose I can dry out the trimmed branches and use in arrangements.
Now to add to my delemma,, our lot that we moved to was VERY overgrown. About a month ago, DH and I were doing some clearing and low and behold not 15 feet away from my HLWS is one growing in the middle of some other bushes and trees. It is just a spindly thing, no side branches just a tall skinny stem. It hasn't recieved sun in years I am positive. How can I transplant this? Should I cut it back? I would LOVE to save it. I bought my HLWS from Heronswood Nursery about 7 years ago and at that time it was just a tiny "stick". Now it is 4 -41/2 feet high.
THanks for any help and suggestions, and sorry for the long post. Flowerlou

Hi flowerlou,

I would wait until winter to do the pruning and then you can see each branch individually. Prune 1/8" from the collar of the branch at right-angles to the main stem. There will always be crossed-over stems on this tree. IMO the most important part of pruning this shrub/tree is to remove all suckers that are below, at or slightly above the graft. As with most shrubs/trees, don't remove more than 1/3 and it's best to prune for shape. It's so much easier to do this without leaves. If you want, come winter, we can do the pruning together as my parents have a 12' plant in the backyard and my mother sheers it badly. I've told her to let me do it so she doesn't wreck it.

I'd leave the other plant alone, give it some water and a bit of fertilizer and let it recover.

Thanks Growin,, so it is not a problem to prune when it is cold out, hmm, I have a lot of learning to do. As far as the other one, (the one we just discoverd) - I was wanting to move it as it will never get sun and do well where it is. It is surrounded by trees and some bushes that we aren't or can't move. Maybe it is a lost cause? thanks for your help, Flowerlou

As far as the small new discovered plant, transplant it when it is dormant - late winter.

I phoned my folks and my mother has already pruned the plant, no doubt looking like a tornado hit with little respect for shape, form or growth.

The little white christmas lights strung on the branches look really nice and provide a slight amount of winter warmth.

Well shoot Growin, I was looking to prune with you this winter. :)
O.k, I will transplant the discovered one when it is dormant.. Thank you again for all your advice, I appreciate it. Flowerlou

Provide us with pictures when you're done. Or maybe some Before pictures too! I love HLWS, but so far have been too cheap to buy one. How come I just couldn't find one like you? LOL

Maybe you 2 should make a deal!