A close up of the foliage would be really helpful. It is also important to know where a plant is growing geographically speaking. The photo is not really clear enough for a certain id but at this stage I'd say it is a Spiraea. Personally I don't think it needs any pruning. It would spoil its weeping habit which in the Spring should be covered in white flowers. But if you do want to do some, do it straight after flowering.

Thanks...this is in Virginia Beach, VA. Here is a closeup.

pic didnt post ... ken

Just so you know, not all plants need pruning beyond the removal of damaged or dead branches and ones that are rubbing.

NHBabs, some plants have almost no ornamental value if not formally pruned (ex: forsythia). This almost looks like stump re-sprouts from betula nigra. a pic of the foilage would be helpful.

I would like to see the close up pictures of Barbara's shrub. I can't square either of the suggestions with what I can make out so far.

Yes - it's a Spiraea. Compare with S x vanhoutii aka Bridal Wreath. Anything you prune now will not flower next year. Has the neighbour complained? If you tell them what it is they might be happy to share the enjoyment of the flowers next spring.

Thanks! Just looked at closeups online of Bridal Wreath - that is definitely what this is. My neighbor is very sweet and would never complain, so I will bring up the topic and see what she says.

Thanks to all of you for your responses!

spirea are typically rounded, will make a beautiful specimen.

'Bridal Wreath' is NEVER 'rounded'! It has graceful arching branches. Making gumdrops of it is ludicrous. See floral's very first comment on this thread.

Logan Johnson (C. home and garden), stop.....please, just stop.

One more question: there seems to be many different opinions on how/if to prune bridal wreath - however, as you can see from the attached photo, there is a big gap on one side of the shrub, caused by the new (not woody) shoots that are falling over. Any suggestions on how to make the shrub a little more symmetrical?

I doubt that hole was caused by the branches simply 'falling over.' Does someone nearby have large dog? Is there robust wildlife cavorting through your yard at night? You could just trim the falling bit back or cut it off at the base and await new canes. Or you could tie the falling part back up with discrete twine. This is a very tough shrub and you really can't hurt it much.

We moved into this home in late spring and I didn't really notice this shrub until weeks later. I don't know of any dogs - a rabbit is the largest animal I've seen in the yard. The house has a new roof, so maybe the issue was caused by contractors. I will see if I can support those branches with twine; otherwise I'll trim.

Builders sound like a plausible explanation. Good luck with the repairs.

Could have been stepped on. Rabbits like to lay in my shrubby plants, I have holes in azaleas, daylilies, and even pampas grass.

"some plants have almost no ornamental value if not formally pruned (ex: forsythia)"

I would NEVER formally prune a forsythia . . . the natural fountain shape is what gives the plant grace. Prune the oldest stems out at the base and leave the rest of it be. Some of the ugliest forsythias I've ever seen were planted where they didn't have room to grow and were formed into a box-shaped hedge . . . shudder . . . As to the ornamental value - spring flowers and fall color seem quite ornamental to me. It's a matter of having the right plant in the right place.

Spirea do well with pruning old stems off at the base as well. New growth will sprout and in less than a season will have replaced the stems removed, so as floral said, feel free to prune that branch off within a few inches of the base next spring. I have a different spirea that sometimes gets severely damaged by snow and ice shed from the roof. When pruned to less than 6", I have a nice small shrub in 3 weeks and within 6 weeks or so it has regrown to the original size. Home repair workers rarely focus on avoiding plant damage, so I imagine that it had something dropped on it or cords/pneumatic hoses dragged across it. Happily the spirea is a plant that will show no long-term effect.