Here is a question for which I could not find by doing a search.

I have 4-6 young trees that I have a single stalk/branch.  One tree has 2 or 3 side branches low to the ground.  How do I get the plant to take a bush from versus a tree form with side shoots off the main trunk?   What is the best way to make it branch near the ground.  I am hesitant to cut everyting off close to the ground without some advice.

Thanks...
Alan 

Alan, when I want a tree to branch, I cut off the top after the tree has fruited.
If your tree is a fig tree (you did not mention) the dormant period is ideal: you will get some cuttings and your tree  will branch out. Just do not cut it close to the ground but at least a foot or two off the ground. You will get branches and not only at the nodes if the trunk is at least a year old. In Florida this is the right time to do it.
Sal

Hello Allen, Do a search on pinching. It's a technique of pinching off the terminal leaf bud. By doing this, it force's more branches. Plus other things.

luke

Cut the trunk about 4-6" above where you want it to branch out.  Generally, it will branch about where you want.  Once the tree is branching nicely, remove most of the remaining trunk above them.  If you want to remove the entire trunk, I don't see much difference between that and the tree freezing to the ground.  It will grow back from the roots.

There is some evidence that if you prune when dormant, it will often want to grow a single new trunk/branch. If you wait till if breaks dormancy, and then prune, it will break more buds (producing more branches) below the point where you prune, because the sap has already started to flow.

I'd wait till it starts growing then airlayer most of the trunk.

Also, like the Japanese do, slow lean a branch to a horizontal position and it will sprout new branches.  I am doing this with two of mine. I tied the branches to skinny bamboo and every 2 days I lean the bamboo a bit more. I am also doing this with my tree and now I have many branches on the horizontal line.  By Spring I should be able to update.
 
I saw some of this done with Pear Tree, the water sprouts that everyone recommends to prune, this man lean them to horizontal position and gets the best fruits from those branches. He does the same with his figs. (Nichole, did you see this at Bill's place?) I thought it was marvelous, as I have read much about it. He does it successfully.