Should I remove this branch (small red circle drawn around it).

I can send more photos if necessary.

I think I should.

Ah, a question I like!

Yes, your plans look good.

More pictures would be nice!

It's difficult to take clearer pictures because they're all overlapping.

That branch actually moves upwards (red line) so instead of cutting the whole thing off I might cut the red branch off and force it along the green line...

It's such a big branch I feel bad removing it

Do you think that's a better plan?

bruce-tree wrote:

That branch actually moves upwards (red line) so instead of cutting the whole thing off I might cut the red branch off and force it along the green line...Do you think that's a better plan?

You have too many branches there but why not. You're not in a rush. Sure, you can cut the branch moving upwards.
Also consider a long term plan. You may want to leave branches grow freely, to get a fatter trunk and more tapering.

Take your time, there's no immediate need to cut off anything.

How long have you had the tree? Are you keeping it indoors? What type of tree is it?

The tree is a Japanese Elm and I've had it for 2.5 years. It's approx 17 years old.

I keep it outdoors on a balcony. I've never actively shaped it. Because I know the tree a little better and seem to be keeping it alive (touch wood) I thought it may be time to experiment a little.

Genuinely though, in your learned opinion, if you think I should take that branch off then let me know. I've taken a few off and I don't want them to get too thick and out of hand.

I've attached a photo from the summer when it had some leaves just for context.

Thanks

Sorry, took a while.

First tip: do not take my advice for granted. Do your own study and make your own decisions. Understand that it is not easy to do this from a photo alone; in real life, I'd look at this tree from all angles, tilt it, choose a branch, think again, and stare at it a bit longer before making a decision. I cannot do all that now, I cannot see exactly where the branches are, so, consider this just an excercise from my side and not much more than that. You do have good material, so don't waste it on advise from a stranger on some forum

I think you have too many branches on the right side, you should have less there. You can remove all side-branches that grow straight up or down.

Formal upright seems like a good choice for this tree. Study that style including how branch should be positioned for that style, like:
- You should not have branches at the same hight on the trunk
- The lowest branches should be horizontal or slightly move down, the branches above that should point up bit, the ones above that a bit more etc...

This could be a start.
Red arrow: You'd need branches there.
Blue arrow: The trunk should get a bit fatter there - you could let one branch grow out freely (let it get really long) and prune it later.



Here is an example of an informal upright tree that may serve as an example:



And here's a really good one:


Hope this makes sense.

Thanks for this. Very informative. I definitely need a branch in that section so hopefully something comes through. I will likely remove some from the right after seeing your photo. That's the sort of shape I'm after so I'll post some pictures when I'm done. Thanks.

Ok... I took a deep breath and got my tools out. I've wired some branches too. Really hope I get a new branch on the right hand side. Thanks for your advice. What do you think?

Pretty good.
If you could bend those wired branches a little bit mor flat (or down), it could help in the future.
Definitely it lacks a branch on the right side. Either hope for tone or two to sprout on the right position, or graft one. The third possibility is to wait and when the tree fills up with growth try to disguise the empty space bending some branches to fill up the void.
Nice tree!

Looks good. Now, don't get tempted to do (much) more, let's see what it does next year.