BonsaiTwit

For the past two years I have been growing a Russian Olive in my back yard. It has thickened up nicely so far, but not to the thickness that I want. It has grown quite tall, almost 6 feet now. So far I have left it alone to let it grow fast, and I have heard that this will also allow the trunk to thicken up the fastest. So here is my question, when I should I chop the trunk and begin the life long journey of styling this tree? Do I wait until the trunk is at the desired thickness? Do I do it now so I can allow the new leader to be in better proprotion sooner??

I have no knowledge of how to handle a trunk chop as I am new to bonsai.

Also, how high, or low should I chop the trunk? I am assuming it is lower than what I want the finished tree to be, but once again I am new. Any help would be appreciated, or any links to instructional pieces would also be helpful.

This site has been extremely informative and helpful in the past, and I have no worries that I will get the answers that I am looking for.

So thanks in advance to anyone who replies.

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