It's always best to prune in early spring. Wear sturdy gloves. If you don't have any, put them on your Christmas wish list. Pruning barberrys is a nightmare.

One time at our old house, I was pruning five barberrys and got so frustrated I just cut them all down, dug out the roots and chucked the whole mess. My husband wasn't too pleased, but I reminded him that HE never bothered pruning them.

It is not a fun job. I don't usually trim them, because they are so painful to deal with. I have found its easier to just let them go natural, and then cut them way down using a long handle clippers every few years.

Thanks, I will wait til spring.