If new and dinky no need to prune is likely. Pruning doesn't help plants grow, it's done to get a particular result that is desired by the gardener.

There are multiple pruning books on the market where you can look this genus up for specific pointers. Searching the internet for "symphoricarpos pruning" and the like is bound to turn them up as well.

If you've looked at a few discussions that left you wondering, maybe look at some more hits or seek out some books instead. Probably most public libraries have at least a few pruning titles.

Thank you bboy. It was one of those moments of why didn't I think of that? So, I pulled my "Woody Cut Stems for Growers and Florists" off the shelf and coralberry pruning is addressed. Coralberry blooms (and subsequently fruits) on new wood so plant can be cut to the ground in early spring with some growers cutting to ten inches.

I'm off outside with my pruners!

Teresa

Again, I wouldn't whack down small specimens as that will slow their establishment and development. Unless you are cutting them for arrangements there shouldn't be much pruning at all until and unless you think they are due for a renovation. With specimens planted as border subjects this would occur periodically, with long intervals of many years between.