When should I remove the 1st and 2nd whorls below the leader?
I would remove the first one once there's a couple more form above it as the leader grows.
You'll have some time to decide over the next couple of years or more as you lift and replace
the tree. Lift to attend to the roots and rotate the tree for Sun exposure both bark and foliage.
The second one is more a style design as to whether you develop it or remove it.
You may have a design in mind and it will get tweaked
as the tree progresses, and not necessarily upwards or higher for end goal. Maybe maybe not.
Second whorl also depends on length of sacrifice. Once in a pot it will slow down.
More important to focus on the 2 lower bar branches in the next 2 years, not the sacrificial leader.
You can thin the needles on the unwanted branches once your tree recovers from transplanting.
Do use all the current soil with little root work this time around. Working the roots in consecutive years
will slow it down, especially if repeated yet a 3rd year in a row. No brakes on this train yet.
I really like that first branch thrown off in the first trunk curve. Tree needs some wire after you
attend to the bar branches. You'll have to log in to watch these free tutorials...
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Keep an eye on the wire that's on it now as it grows. Happens pretty quickly really.