I heard the first step to drying your buds is to cut the tree at the base and hang it upside down. Well I have nowhere in my house to hang a 5 foot tall tree. Would it fuck anything up if I just picked all the buds off and put them in paper bags as a first step?
No, it wouldn't. Cutting the tree and hanging it is just the more efficient way, as most growers have 5, 10+ plants and don't want to cut each branch individually. Just make sure you cut off all the big fan leaves and then CAREFULLY cut the buds off the branches (make sure it's ready for harvest) and store them till dry. Once dry, and I mean DRY, like crunchy cringly dry, store them in an airtight jar for curing. Good luck bro.
Yes, You don't cut the whole tree and then hang it. Cut each individual branch, hang them and then cut the main cola in half or thirds if you have to. It is best to hang up-side down for 3-30 days then go to the paper bag.