[Piccolo]

Has anyone any idea about how and when to prune a mahonia bush.  I have one that is about 7 feet tall and needs reducing in size - getting the timing right is proving difficult, its always enthusiastic about either sending new shoots out or flowering.  Any advice appreciated.   

[sunshineband]

Short answer is now, with a saw!!
Now it's finished flowering, it's the right time. Just make it into a tidy shape, with no stray stumpy ugly bits sticking up or out to spoil its appearance. It's make plenty of new shoots and should flower again next year. Rduced the one in my Dad's garden to four feet from fifteen or more last year and it flowered this spring.

oh, and the wood is brilliant yellow inside 
Hope that helps 

[Piccolo]

Thanks sunshineband - I was hoping now was a good time.  Guess that will be a job for the weekend as the weather is due to improve here now.  My mum and dad have a mahonia that needs reducing as well so I'll be able to help with that one too.