major work on crab apple.. advice needed about branches

[paddles]

Hi, I have a crabapple that I intend doing major root work, followed by ground/grow box planting... the question is, should I remove the current "branches" prior to putting it into the ground, as they most likely will be too heavy for the finished tree?

I intend to try the toothpick method around the base to improve the nebari, I have hollowed out a major lump in the trunk which I hope will heal/roll over more in line with the trunk (it had been causing quite a reverse taper) and intend to attempt a method I have read about concerning wire scaring a crab apple to encourage thickening of the base...

suggestions please, and advice about weather to remove the branches before I put it into the ground?

thank you

[cre8ivbonsai]

Hi Paddles, not sure about removing all the branches could you leave some of the lower ones as sacrifice branches to help with growing in some trunk taper?

[shibui]

Hi Paddles. I'd leave the branches on at the moment to help with thickening the trunk but remove them if they get too big and look like leaving large scars. It probably all depends on how long it might be in the ground. You are going to have some scars when its cut down anyway. I find its better to have several smaller cuts than one big one so I try to have a number of branches or leaders on the trees that are growing in the ground.
Good luck with the project.

[paddles]

there are currently no lower branches, it's been a finished?? tree for a few years, but nothing flash.. I'm only intending it to be in the ground for appox 12 mths, maybe 2 yrs..

dependant on how the current scars heal over, it has reasonable taper atm, but needs root work, and thickening won't hurt. I don't think I'm going to get away without scarring