Elderberries- Pruning

Q: In early April I planted 16 American elderberry plants that I wanted to grow behind my Leyland Cypress. The Elderberries are doing beautifully in the full sun and are branching out. When and how do I prune them to get them to begin to grow into a tall shrub?

A: Theresa Schrum replies: “Elderberries form a large, open shrub without any pruning. As new as these plants are, I can’t see you needing to prune them for at least several years. When they eventually need pruning, do it in the early spring.