Looking at trunk PIC 2, I was thinking of removing all the left and right branches using the middle large one as the new trunk...
When I loom at that I think that the large middle one is very straight and almost the same thickness as the trunk below. Lack of taper and lack of movement = boring bonsai
- see notes on long internodes and straight bits above.
However, you have the advantage of a 3d view while I only have 2d pictures to work with. I liked the line of pic 3 - up the main trunk then up one of the branches on the right. The lower one looks good but the angle might be a bit too acute and I'm not sure which direction it goes...... It is your tree and you can see it in full and you have to live with it after so you need to be comfortable with the result.
Cutting all the branches back is an option but it does not really address the problem of multiple branches from one spot so local thickening will still be a problem. You are also just putting off the inevitable decision of what this tree should look like. the sooner you can choose a trunk line the sooner the scars can start to heal and branches developed in the places you want them.
Not meaning to hijack the thread, but when would you remove the spring branches?
There is no correct answer to this. It depends.....
If you want the tree to develop or thicken leave nearly all on and let them grow all summer.
Remove any that are threatening to destroy taper or movement as soon as you see them. I am constantly rubbing off tiny shoots that I see growing in the wrong spots or cutting off longer shoots when I notice they are going to cause a problem.
To develop ramification and density allow shoots to grow 3-6 pairs of leaves then cut them back. Leave 1 or 2 pairs of leaves if internodes are ok, Cut the shoot at the base if internodes are too long and start again. Really doesn't matter whether the shoot has 3, 5, 6 or 10 pairs of leaves. Cutting earlier will allow quicker regrowth and more pinching during the summer = more density. cutting later allows more growth which should build up trunk and branch thickness but will only allow 1 or 2 pinches during the summer = less ramification.
In other words it depends what you want to achieve.
