AusBonsai

If this was my tree i'd airlayer like the vert below. You would then in time have 1 spectacular tree and then using the old stump i think you could have another very nice tree.

Bearing in mind that the leftover stump could be a veryt nice tree with no taper. Like, just grow as much foliage as possible to cover the cut and trim to 1 canopy rather than spending years trying to develop taper and individual foliage pads.

Good virt eusto.
Imo good suggestion as well.

My concerns are....
What happens if the layer is a failure?
Are we guaranteed that a trunk this size will layer successfully?

Whilst it is imo a pretty ugly tree as a base to work it had some value.
Not so sure about the owners willingness to risk?

Good Plam though I reckon.

The base air layer could probably be a ground layer using tooth pick method maybe? Less risk of ruining the trunk should it fail. If that doesn't work then air layer next spring......Ha I ever said it would be easy!

4.38 - 9.13

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQHOpOJLz9U

thought of this tree when watching this

Hi Andrew,
Following on from what Eusto has posted I offer the following suggestions. If you think air layering is the way to go here are some ideas.
Air layer the two branches to make a couple of Mini's. Next Spring you could air layer or ground layer the tree. I appreciate Boics concerns. If the layer is done well it will work. The following link shows some information about ground layering. viewtopic.php?f=104&t=14664&hilit=+ground

Regards Ray