Just chop it at 2/3 of the height you want it to end up at. These are Styrax japonica trees (Japanese snowbell) with 3-4" trunks that I had growing on for several years in raised beds as bonsai material. They were over 8 ft tall when I dug them a couple of weeks ago and chopped them back to around 12-15" tall. After they flush out & I see what the trees tell me about what shape they want to take, I'll be reducing them so the trunks are prolly going to be under 8" from the soil line. I've done this sooo many times - I have no worry about survival or that the tree is only a few years from being something very beautiful. Oh yeah - how do you like the soil? ;o) Pretty powerful looking roots, aren't they? In bonsai, the most important part of the tree are the roots and how well they connect to the tree. The trees already looks ancient and they don't even have any branches yet. No guts - no glory. ;o) Gonna take the plunge? Al

I'll trade if you want something I have or I'll send an envelope with return postage. Thanks, Chris

If you were unlikely like me...this could happen. My tree was damaged from a late spring freeze after the initial planting. All the leaves were lost and most of the branches died back 6" or so. The tree was about 5' tall. As the new flush of foliage came through later that spring the tree also sent up a sucker about 3" away from the main stem. I kept it b/c I thought it would keep the roots strong since so much top growth was lost. I think I'll keep it and see what it does. I heard they look quite nice as multi-stem trees b/c sometimes random die-back can be common with those trees. By the way I have Styrax japonicus "Emerald Pagoda" I had a thread about it back in the day. But no one responds to it any longer :( Here is a link that might be useful: my emerald pagoda

Dormant oil spray is a great way to smother scale and is considered an organic spray. CHECK THE LABEL FOR PLANTS THAT CAN'T TOLERATE IT. I have sprayed my Styrax and it showed no adverse results. Don't use it on maples (Acer), nut trees, some evergreens, Cotinus and Rubus. It should be used three times throughout the dormant season. Styrax are usually very clean trees. Try also to top dress your soil under it with some compost and organic fertilizer. Soils rich in microorganisms is vital to having healthy plants.