Carpinus Caroliniana material

[Scrogdor]

Did a thing. Cut off the top, I’m pretty sure I want to go at least one node lower for a new main branch to the major left or right branches (2nd and third from top). At the very least I’ll have some room incase of die back. Lot of branch die back the first year, hoping for some back budding this year.

Trying to figure out what to do with those first heavy branches as well.

First couple pictures are the sides I like most as the fronts.

 

[Mike Westervelt]

Good move, but I think you're right about the new top being the next lower one going to the left.
Lower branches seem appropriate sized, albeit too long.
I'd just remove the upright one on the right as there are 2 there and the lower one comes off the trunk at a better angle.
Pic #1 and #6 show trunk movement the best

 

[Scrogdor]

Good move, but I think you're right about the new top being the next lower one going to the left.
Lower branches seem appropriate sized, albeit too long.
I'd just remove the upright one on the right as there are 2 there and the lower one comes off the trunk at a better angle.
Pic #1 and #6 show trunk movement the best

There is two first branches, need to pick one. Not sure if I should keep the one that shoots straight out, or the one that goes up. But yeah gonna leave that top branch just incase it dies back. Will cut back to one of those other two branches in the summer.