Tree peonies are often grafted onto herbaceous peony rootstock, so take care not to prune them right back. In spring it can be a good idea to cut back tree peonies before new growth.

Although you never cut a tree peony back to the ground as you do with herbaceous varieties, tree peonies take to pruning well. Cut back to a node right after the flowers fade.

Second, tree peonies are not exactly pass-along plants. You can't cut off a piece and give one to your neighbor to try. They grow very slowly and are slow to establish.