Beginner Gardening: Rose of Sharon Tree Help!, 1 by aftrshock

aftrshock wrote:
I have a rose of sharon that was quite a tall tree when I bought my house 6 years ago. It has been bautiful until recently. It had two large appeared to be either struck by lighting or split or something near the base. I removed one of the bases that appeared completely damaged and pruned back the other half considerably before winter. I also surronded the base with large rocks to prevent any critters from getting at the base and assist with drainage. This spring it still had not had any leaves as of June and cutting off a few branches, they were quite dry. I assumed I had lost the battle and sadly began cutting off most of the branches. I'm left with the main trunk and two large main branches that were too big to cut down with clippers. Now it is the start of July and suddenly little green sprouts are popping up all over what I removed. Now what? I had lost hope this would ever come back and now it appears I crippled it. The area gets good water and such - the garden near it is growing wildly! The trunk still doesn't seem all that stable though. Is this the type of tree that if I cut it completely back will sprout fresh? What should I do? I'd love to save it!! Thank-you!

I posted this on another thread, but was suggested I create a new one and include a pic so here it is!