Liquidambar newbie

[fy.red]

Hey guys,
First time posting here but I've been following the forum for a while now . I just had a question regarding one of my liquidambar species that I've had since it was only tiny. All the leaves have pretty much dropped and buds are starting to swell for new growth. I wasn't sure if I need to cut down the lead or just leave it alone and let it grow freely. Here are some pics:




Thanks in advance for any help or advice!

[Waltron]

It depends on what you want to achieve. Personally I would remove the wire and the last couple of leaves, select one of the lower branches as a new leader and wire it into a more upright position (thinking informal upright), I would probably also then slightly change the potting angle to compensate for this (the buds are swelling so now would be a good time) and then let it grow freely for the entire growing season without removing anything; I would maybe remove other branches that got in the way of my new leader. This would give it direction for the future, thicken it up a little and start creating taper. Only when the base has thickened adequately would I chop above the new leader.
Again, it depends on what you wish to achieve.

[kcpoole]

If you want to grow the trunk thicker,then done trim anything, Just let it go mad over summer.
If you are happy with the lower trunk then trunk chop and regrow a new leader for taper an movement.
If you are happy with the size of the tree / trunk, then pick your apex leader and cut any others off that also go upwards, I see at least 2 then could almost be a trunkline in the top of the tree.

once you have your leader cut all branches and leader back shorter about 1/3 the way out to where you want that branch to extend to in its final design, and then build ramification and the branches and apex by letting 2 new shoots extend and then cut them back when appropriate

As waltron said, the next step is dependent on what you want out of the material.
Ken