You certainly can do that. I had to do the same thing
last year. Take my advice and, cut it to the trunk! I didn't
and now new branches are growing out of the stub I left.
They'll be blocking the walkway by next year. I think
I may be cutting off that stub completely this winter.

I generally wait until the tree goes dormant and all the
leaves have fallen off before I do my pruning.

I'm in Glendora, by the way.

Thank you quguy, it's funny that you mentioned the stump, as that is exactly what happened with mine! Just to clarify...I can go ahead with the cut now rather than waiting for it to go dormant? Wanted to be able to plant the cutting in a week or so...

Thanks again for your help!

Sure, go ahead and pot it up. If it doesn't make it, you
can always cut it off short.

In all reality, I think I'd wait a while. I'm not sure
it would root before it goes dormant. You could just
stick the cutting somewhere until spring. No great
rush in getting it planted

your best bet is to cut in February so you have a fairly fresh cutting to root. You may or may not get rooting if you plant now and if not you are waiting 6 months to plant, which is not that fresh. Bill

Thanks to all for the advice, think I'll wait till Feb. and walk around it. It's so beautiful, would hate to take a chance and ruin it!

If its not to much trouble, could you post a pic of it? Id love to see it!
-Hunter

I'm pretty sure Hunter M's request was to tnordqui, but
here's a shot of mine blocking half the walkway from 2008.

It's even taller now, reaching almost to the eaves.

I'll be pruning it again this winter.

I know in Florida (Naples) I would cut and trim in November, put the cuttings in the garage, then put in the ground in
February WITH NO PREPARATION. I didn't know any better! They didn't get fed but sporadically, grew to be trees (which is why I was always cutting), and bloomed spring, summer and fall. All I knew was they had to harden off before being planted and they wouldn't grow much if I planted them before February. It amazes me the amount of stress and preparation I have now taking care of them in pots! The soil in Naples was pure sand. Oh well.

RuthAnne in SC