Not pinching the strongest candles does seem a bit counterintuitive, but if that what Ryan said, I'll too follow his advice.. Thanks Bob!
Yes, I remember reading that John, something along I believe the Fall Ponderosa Technique. Good for only one try. Strange though, this year, with no fall work done at all other than wiring, I'm having quite a bit of new backbuds. Either way, it looks like PP's are not ones that you're going to be able to compact the tree much by growing, cutting back to the closest bud site to the trunk, cut, and regrow.
I'll just keep a close eye on my wiring. I still have a tendency to wire on too tightly...it cost me a limb about 3 wks ago on a Mugo I wired over the winter. Took off the wire and I basically made a tourniquet out of wire. Though I'm much better at laying it down at 45 degrees and not overlapping wires. It's harder for me at this time getting it on to allow some growth, but not too loose either.
Chris