Questions about pruning yaupon holly

[Chris Frechette]

I collected yaupon holly from a curb last year that a landscaper was throwing out. It had a big dead spot in the middle that I cut out. It’s got a pretty beefy base and then way too many trunks! I was curious how well yaupons take to hard prunes... below any foliage? I’ve read conflicting tales. I want to reduce this to maybe 3 short trunks in hopes of a future squatty shohin? Any recommendations on where to cut to?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Your 4th image of the new planting angle is a big improvement.

I don't think you want to go with three trunks and a muddled design. Rather I would ask you to choose one (in your mind) that would yield the best trunk line and apex. Which one would it be? Because all the rest of your design would flow from that decision... and the other "trunks" either become branches or need to be removed...

 

[Chris Frechette]

Am I limited to pruning above the green? Or will it take to a low chop. The problem w most of the trunks going in that direction is the first green is like 5+ inches away from the main trunk.

 

[Velodog2]

IME they take hard pruning well. I don’t think you need to leave green, but to be honest I always have left a little. You could do it in stages, one trunk at a time if you are nervous. It can take a little while for the stump to bud out, like a few weeks. And typically they throw a lot of buds.