ben:

My thinking is that your toyon is still too small to get into training it. And if it's less than 1-2 years old (in the ground), I'm pretty sure that's the case.

If you want a true standard ("lollipop"), wait at least another year or two and then select the strongest and/or straightest (most verticaly upright). Remove all the other ground stems by cutting them completely to the ground. In another year from that, start "limbing up" by removing A FEW of the lowest branches -- DO NOT remove more than just a few. Each year, remove a few more until you have a "trunk". When the "tree" reaches somewhat close to the height you want it, tip the very central shoot to encourage it to produce a fullwer head.

With that said, toyons will grow better -- and I think look much better -- when grown as a "multi-trunk" small tree. That means leaving several (maybe all) of the main shoots coming up fromm the ground. Let them grow to close to your ideal height and then gradually limb them all up. But don't tip them.

Joe

Joe, thanks for the excellent response. Yes, I had in mind a multi-trunked tree too. When you say "tip" the central shoot, is that the same as pinching the terminal bud to encourage branching??

"When you say "tip" the central shoot, is that the same as pinching the terminal bud to encourage branching??"

Yes.

Joe