I've generally done that. It generally works, although I had a large broken branch on a peach. This is on 'citation' too.

I think you will get plenty of branching, especially if it is still nice and cold where you live. The plum may just branch out from the base, right at the graft union or it may branch out from just below your cut but it will branch out. All of my trees have been headed back about knee high besides the multi budded trees and they have all responded well. The spice zee nectaplum (plum parentage) is the one that broomed out on me from the base.

You will by all odds get branching below, but if you are concerned you won't really reduce vigor by waiting to see some living buds before you make the cuts.

Since DW trees are so large, when you get them. They are the only trees that I don't head back.

Wouldn't you have rabbit problems with the branches hanging that low? Northwoodswis

Thank you for the replies. HM, I like your idea of waiting to see if any live buds appear before making the cut. I don't care much for the DW bare root trees, they are to large for my taste.