Beech don't necessarily, myrtles may do better (sorry that's all I can tell you now).

My bonsai crepe myrtle is still too thin to show any signs of scarring, but in my experience with the full-size versions, they respond well to chopping. I haven't tried anything too drastic, though.
They seem to respond well to an annual prune, as the flowers grow on the new growth.
Hope this is of some use.

When you say you havent tried anything to drastic, Im currious what you think of my situation. I have 2 nursery bought ones, one is a triple trunk (each 3/4" diameter), and a single trunk (1" diameter) They run about 3 feet strait up w/out a single branch. Can I chop them back to about 10" or is it too late? The triple trunk one, Im thinking of leaving the center one slightly taller if that makes sense. thanks castorcrap

You can cut them back to 1" if you'd like. The crapes (if healthy) should pop buds everywhere. You'll also get suckers growing up from the root base. Rub those out. The profusion of buds is going to be right at the cut at first. You might get further budding later in the season though.

Now when I say you can cut it back to 1", you certainly can. You'll complicate your maintenance and training efforts by doing that though. It might be worth it in the long run, but you'll have to stay RIGHT on top of it. Thats because the suckers will be more abundant the more you reduce the trunk. This might be the only way to introduce character into the lower part of the trunk though. Have fun. (As to it recovering from chops... I've heard they heal very quickly, especially healthy specimens. I've got a cut scar thats about ¾" that hasn't healed well in a years time. But it wasn't in the best health early last year.)

Wayne's information is correct. You can cut them back hard, all the information Wayne supplied is dead on.

James