Mine looked like that about 20 years ago. We are in SCen PA and it has grown to be way over 20ft., maybe over 30ft. A small tree like that will probably defoliate the first couple of real winters we get, but not to worry. If it makes several leaders, as they want to do in cold climates, once the tree gets over your head, it should have been pruned to one leader. In other words, you can grow it like a bush for the first few years, but then each year should see the removal of one of the trunks. Mine made 5, and sorry to say it still has 2. To take the second one away now would make the tree look stupid, to say nothing of what dear wife would think. The flowers on mine are great, the only complaint is that the tree draws a flock of Eastern Bluebirds in the fall. For several nights before migration, the birds roost in the tree and make 'white streaks' on many of the leaves. Like 100s of the leaves. Rain washes their evidence away, but it makes the tree unsightly until that happens.

first.. in photobucket... COPY the html TAG LINE ... and paste that one into the post.. and the picture will appear when you hit preview.. if you see it.. we will see it .... i believe it is the middle line .... i agree with all the above.. and when this tree is 4 feet tall .. all the branches you are fixated on will be gone and dead from being shaded from the sun by the vigorous higher branches .... i know its hard not to worry about it... but don't.. as long as at least one branch has a bud... the tree can grow ... the only time to panic is when they browse every single bud off the babe .. at that point.. most conifers do NOT have dormant buds .... and will die when the current needles fall off [which can be a year or two later, with normal needle fall] ... most of the time ... see what they do this spring/summer .. you can always add a few in fall .... good luck ken

Thanks everyone for the insight. We haven't seen lower than upper 50s yet... my tomatoes and peppers (bell, banana, and serrano) are still thriving. I was even able to get cherry tomato cuttings to root about three weeks ago; they've got a few fruits on them already. My herbs haven't been the least bit bothered by the cooler temperatures. And newer winter stuff like parsley, leeks, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower is thrilled. Threw some eggplant and stuffed banana peppers on the grill this afternoon. This is why we love living in Florida! Really enjoying this new hobby. Always something to learn. And looking forward to my first winter and hoping I can keep it all alive through any January or February cold patches. Thanks again for the info. Great to learn from your experience!

Thank you folks for such beautiful comments. If it were not for you all I don't think I could of done it. Some of you here have no idea how much your kindness to take the time to help me and the articles I have read here have given me much encouragement to give it a try. So far so good. I was always scared to give them a try. Thanks again and lets hope all our roses have a wonderful summer! Marmorean, I am not sure of the name. I can try and find out. It has mostly white flowers that turn to a deep yellow over time. The most fragrant I ever had. I wish there was a way to get you a few cuttings. So easy to root! Moses, go for it buddy! I say give its a shot! Mines is in a very hot area with no more than 8 hours of sunlight.,It get very early morning sun from about 630 am until about 9 then again at 1200 until about 6..The real test will be how it makes it through this coming winter in that spot. Thanks for the fertilizing tip too. Mike