They handle a trunk chop fine. Do it in early spring before it leafs out. Pin Oaks will bud back for you very well, however, they can suffer some die-back at the point of where you cut. Cut an inch or two higher from the point you want.

You will probably get multi-stems from the cut. Give it some time and then make your selection.

Vernon

I have two 9foot pin oaks I got at the nursery. I got them near my school which is 300 miles from home where my bonsai stock garden is. I get home a couple times a year. Would it hurt to chop them at the end of november? would it hurt anything to at least only chop them down 5 feet to get them home? Once they bud back, do I let my new leader grow as much as it wants If I want a fat trunk? Or will repeated wacking of the leader to get taper, eventually also produce trunk mass? thanks