Hi, and welcome. I guess it's your choice about how to handle it.. have you considered a literati? It's got small enough leaves and berries! Must not have had enough sun or something previously. PS - if you have a 'functioning' rosemary bonsai, you're doing something right!

Lucy, thanks for the welcome. The c. dammeri is certainly spindly! It does have the feel of a literati about it, which is appropriate, I guess, since I'm a poet. I guess what I was asking, without really knowing it, was, Can I cut this stock back to a stub?

As for the rosemary, I have two, both four or five years old. I'll add a link below to a blog post about the prettier one, which I just repotted. I wish the trunk was thicker, but it has a graceful shape, I think. I have another rosemary, also several years old, a different variety with larger needles, that is also quite healthy.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rosemary Bonsai / 12 in. tall

Love your little RM bush! Give it time, and you'll definitely have an interesting look - they do get gnarly great trunks. If you cut the CE back to just above the lower branches (I'd say below but can't swear to whether it buds below or not) you should be fine. Try www.bonsai4me.com - lots of species and their care, and you might see something there on it.