Choosing front/pruning branches on Crepe Myrtle

[Just Rosie]

Hello all,


I have a crepe myrtle I'd like to make into a bonsai, and I am having trouble picking a front, and subsequently choosing what branches to prune.

I apologize for the crowded photos; I don't have a great spot to take pictures.

I am open to any suggestions. I know I need to repot to a better substrate to keep in pot.

 

[sorce]

The front should be selected off of which side the base looks widest at.

Bump.

Sorce

 

[Shibui]

The front should be selected off of which side the base looks widest at.

Also consider which way the trunk leans and where good branches are located. Sometimes we have to sacrifice widest base for a better look at the other features of the tree.

Personally I would not worry too much about the front of this tree. It is still very small and very young so it is likely to change quite a lot over the next few years.
3 does not look great with the main trunk coming way forward.
It will be a lot easier to choose a front when you've removed some of the redundant big branches/trunks. Try to choose a possible trunk line and the front may follow.