Hi Cel, Thank you for your question about pruning a young redbud. Yours looks so healthy!

Redbuds should only be pruned when they are dormant (late winter) or soon after they have bloomed.  I would wait until spring after yours has bloomed.  An exception to these times would be to trim dead branches.

Usually there should be a reason to trim redbuds:  to improve the shape, the limit the tree to one trunk, to remove branches that cross each other, to remove branches that might be broken in a storm, and so on.

When you remove a whole branch, it should be cut almost at the trunk, so the tree can heal.  If you are trimming a branch back but not removing the whole branch, cut just up to a leaf node leaving the leaf. 

Some sources suggest not trimming too many branches at once.

Other sources suggest cutting limbs which have a V shaped crotch with the main trunk.  These limbs may not be strong enough during storms.  A U shaped crotch is stronger.

I've attached a link to an article which might clarify my comments on pruning:

https://suggesthow.com/how-to-prune-a-redbud-tree/

I hope this helps you keep your beautiful tree healthy! Thank you for contacting OSU Extension and feel free to contact us again.

Sincerely,