Pruning my 8ft Exochorda x macrantha

ginnytaylor

A few months ago, I bought this Pearl Bush, started off in a pot, and then moved it into a bed.  Now it is approx 8ft and I'd like it to become a tree.  Is it safe to just cut off the lower leaves?  Higher up it has branches rather than leaves.

Fairygirl

Exochorda is a multi stemmed shrub, so I'm not really sure what you're meaning. Do you mean you want a clear trunk with the top as a canopy? Had it already been grown as a standard when you bought it?
8 feet would be about as tall as it gets anyway though. 

A photo would help so that appropriate advice can be given:)