Need some pics...there have been many reports in the midwest that these plants are quite sucesptble to canker so keep that in mind when pruning.

I guess first question is do you want it as a shrub or a tree? You can let its do its thing, and I'm sure it will mature and be gorgeous in time.

It wants to be a shrubby-tree by nature.

To keep it as a tree, it will need regular pruning. It can still end up tree-like and have a few trunks. Prune out completely one or two of those new stems. If you make any partial cuts, it will send out multiple branches at that point and they will flop and you will have a mess.

Depending on your conditions, the first few years it will grow vigorously and send out lots of shoots. Then it seems to calm down a bit. At least thats what happened with mine.

A friend of mine courageously made random cuts to the length and lots of flopping occurred. You may find the thread with pictures in this forum.

whaas, I was afraid I was going to be asked that. It's understandable to request pics, but I'm unfamiliar with the process at the moment. :-( Yes, I've heard about canker being a concern.

I got to wondering about pruning technique when I read on the Garden Watchdog site page about Seven-Son-Flowers where someone in Toronto stated that they cut back some of the higher branches by 1/3 in spring.

wendyb, it sounds like it should be pruned like any tree should be pruned from what you say, rather than like a shrub. I want it to have a tree form. Trees aren't supposed to be topped, so I wonder about the tree of person who said that he regularly did that. Couldn't find the thread & pictures you were referring to.

I have one that I am going to train as a mutli-stem tree. I already cut out one stem to the ground to enhance the over all look. I'd never top it as you mentioned above.

Pics is fairly easy. Load em to photobucket, the photo will give you several "code" options. Just copy and paste the html code below your message.

Here's a picture of my friend's Seven Sons that had been top pruned:

{{gwi:344602}}

Here it is after some limbing up and thinning cuts. More to go:

{{gwi:344603}}