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Doug Miller glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the question. Texas mountain laurels are wonderful plants and their fragrance, when blooming, is hard to beat. Usually these don’t require much pruning but it sounds like you have two situations where it’s indicated-controlling height and proximity to a walkway. There are two options during the year to prune: winter when the tree is dormant or immediately after it blooms (which is likely about now). Do keep in mind that they bloom on old growth, so pruning in the dormant period might result in you not having blooms for a year. Slow growers, careful consideration is advised when deciding if and how to prune. Too, due to their slow growth it might require a multi-year pruning plan to achieve your optimal look. Trimming the top will create a bushier plant and encourage lateral growth, but trying to limit the natural height too much might adversely affect blooming. All pruning cuts should be made with clean, sharp cutters on a 45-degree angle around 1/4 inch above an existing node (or joint where leaves and branches form). The general rule of trimming no more than 1/3 of the plant should be adhered to. Don’t feel like you have to rush the process either. Sometimes it’s best to step away for a bit and come back with fresh eyes to keep from over-trimming. Remember, you can always take more off with additional cuts but emergency super-glue surgeries to reattach the severed limbs of an overzealous pruning session don’t ever end well. Good luck and let me know if there’s something I forgot to answer.

@@williamtisbell this is VERY helpful. Thank you!