My apologies for no pictures. It is dark out right now.

I have three purple sand cherries. We've had them for about 7 years, and they've been fast growers. They have done wonderfully.

My typical pruning schedule would be once in mid-summer just to control the height. I would do a bit on the sides as well, but focus was at the top.

They've begun leafing out and are blooming now. The tops look nice and full. The sides, however, look thin in the foliage department. I've been patiently waiting to see if more budding will occur, but I am just not sure.

My fear is that this is due to my pruning habit. Should I be cutting the sides back more to encourage bushier growth?

My bigger fear is that they received some winter damage due to the record-cold winter that we endured.

I love these shrubs, so I don't want to lose them. Surely they are not reaching the end of their life cycle already?