I like my Fortsythia with its natural graceful branches. I hate those lolipop shaped shrubs of any kind. But if you need to trim your Forsythia, now it is a good time to trim it.

I once read if you cut back your Fortsythia it will flower less. If it really needs to be cut back my neighbours says now is the time.

This is the right time to prune your forsythia. You can remove up to 1/3 of the larger, older branches to allow for new growth that will flower next year. Cut the branches back as close to the base of the plant as possible to reduce congestion. I agree about respecting the shrub's natural cascading habit, and don't recommend pruning the tips of branches unless they are particularly out of proportion to the rest of the branches.

An older, overgrown shrub can be cut back to the ground for rejuvenation.

Good luck!
Juliana