Crabapple styling advice

[MountainFrost]

I recently purchased this crabapple, I don't plan to do anything to it until spring. However I need some help coming up with a style. Thanks

Front

IMG_1489.jpg

Back

IMG_5377.jpg

Side

IMG_5500.jpg

Side 2

IMG_5833.jpg

[ric]

Hello,
that is a very promising piece of material with some age to it many branches and quite a thick trunk as a result.
I would begin by scratching around the base of the trunk to see what sort of development there is in the root where they start out from the base of the trunk.
How they look is a key part of getting the look of an established old tree when it is re -established later in a bonsai container.
Having done that you can look at the whole tree and begin to see if it has a more pleasing look from one side than the rest - turning it around and around till you are convinced (if this doesn't work try finding the worst looking view and very likely the opposite side will be the best one) In bonsai we then call this the Front of the tree.
Next up is to look at the branches see if there are any problems such as ones that are opposite each other or growing one directly above another or on that is crossing over from one side to the other. Also if too many branches spring from one point this will cause too much thickening of the trunk at that point. These are a few of the things you can look for and after due thought you can cut off the problem ones and you will be a long way ahead in being able to see where the shape of your tree lies -And it will be your very OWN tree.
Remember Crabapple is about flowers and fruit so make space for these lowering branches a little and keeping twigs and spurs where flowers and fruit will form.

[shibui]

Sorry mate but it is not the most attractive stock I've seen.
Step 1. Base: Work out where the roots are. There's no point styling a great trunk if the roots let it down.
Step 2. Trunk: Find an angle where the trunk shows some movement (best to move away from the viewer first then come back toward the front nearer the top but if you can also find a spot where the trunk moves left and right a bit as well, that's even better), taper
Step 3 Branches: look for lower branches that welcome the viewer ( left and right branches around 45deg to either side where possible) Upper branches thinner if possible.
Features and flaws - where can features (holes, scars, strong branches, etc) be shown off. Can you hide, disguise or remove any flaws (bar branches, thick upper branches, scars, dead wood, etc)

Where any of these conflict you will need to make a compromise and maybe have slightly worse branching to get good base.

In the case of this crabapple I think there will be vast changes as it grows and matures so there is less pressure to choose a final front, style, shape at the moment. Just do the best you can and be prepared to make changes as time passes.
As Ric has pointed out, crab apple is about showing off flowers and fruit so try to build a shape where branches are well displayed.

[treeman]

Although it may look promising at first glance, untrained material like this need severe cutting back and the resulting new growth wired into place during late spring. It's the only way, but it's quite normal. Well it's not the only way, you could leave thick straight branches but I would strongly advise against it.

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[MountainFrost]

Thanks for the advice everyone, much appreciated.