I don't know the actual answer to the question as I'm new to this, but it seems to me that you're losing the water in the bud as it dries out, so you probably wouldn't be able to keep them as dense as when you chop the tree down.
I wish I could do some sick outdoor/secret/guerilla grows where I am, but I haven't found any places that I would be comfortable with. So very of those of you can. Keep up with the great pictures!