Mature fruiting plants should be pruned to allow more light penetration. For this, small shrubs or trees pruned to near ground level are utilized. Additionally, properly spaced and pruned trees can increase crop yields. Normally, the trees are pruned before planting the crop. It can be pruned into a shrub form. However, when pruned properly, trees are usually tall and wide. The coffee trees are pruned from December to February before the planting season. The plants are summer tipped by hand, mechanically pruned in winter and then machine harvested. Adult mockingbirds also have been seen drinking sap from the cuts on recently pruned trees. The fruits do not mature simultaneously, unless the tree has been pruned. Canes should be pruned off and replaced after their third year. Branches should be pruned every three to four years to maintain productivity. Dead wood and leaves should be pruned and completely removed and destroyed yearly. It can be pruned heavily once established. It can be pruned down in late May or dug up, divided, and reset.