European hornbeam pruning

[Krone]

Hey. I've recently got an European hornbeam (a little over 20 years old, around 60cm high) and i need to prune some of the thicker branches and some smaller for better ramification.
I have read a lot about it, as far i have learned i should wait with branch pruning until new growth hardens off and i should wait with thicker branches until the later winter because of the bleeding.
Any experiences and tips regarding this? Thanks!

 

[BobbyLane]

i did all my hornbeam pruning over winter and some was done in the last few weeks. i wouldnt worry about any bleeding. hornbeams are tough trees, dont treat it like a maple

i prune them at any time of the year

ps even yest i snipped back this fork