Advice on pruning a blossom tree

Hello,

Can anybody give me any advice on how to best prune my Japanese blossom tree please. Last year’s growth wasn’t great and the blossom lasted only two weeks, but sure it’s to do with the health of the tree.
I would like to cut it back, but don’t want to damage it, so looking for how, when etc if anybody can help please.
I’ve uploaded a pic and as you’ll see, lots of straggly branches. Should I be removing all / any of these etc please?

Many thanks

 

I assume is a cherry?
And quite an old one, if so the blossom only lasts a short time, two weeks is quite good I think.
Looks like someone has hacked it back a few years ago.
Probably best left, and only cut out any dead or diseased wood in summer after flowering.

 

Ok, thanks Pete

 

Hi

some trees just don’t like getting pruned especially when it’s a large branch also it can let disease in plus it distracts from the overalllook especially in the winter , blossom / cherry trees should only be pruned after they have finished flowering , as it gives the cuts a opportunity to heal over before the winter wet sets in.

Spruce

 

Thanks Spruce,
So would you leave all those straggly offshoots as they are? I heard that if they cross, they need cutting back?

 

Hi you could reduce/ cut them back to a main branch , but after it has finished flowering just to tidy it up

has the trunk split ? And has it oozed any sticky liquid ?

 

No, no split in the trunk. The tree seems healthy, just a bit untidy…