tnlefty, this is a personal choice on how you want them to appear. Also you need to know which varieties do best as trees and which do best as shrubs. Remember if you cut below the 'Y' you will have to wait until it 'Y's again before you get it to bloom. Again this is a personal choice on how you want your Brugmansias to appear and you will get many answer as to how as there are gardeners in the forums. We currenty have many shapes and love each and everyone for what they look like!