Hello

Attached are some photos of my privet. As you can see I have a branch they looks out of place, I’ve wired it down and back to give the tree abit of depth. Should I remove it or do you think it works as it is?

IF IT WERE MINE, I would remove it...
But I am no example. I chop down what I don't like or if it looks out of place.

In my mind there are only two options. Take the branch away or take everything else above it off and start to grow it as the new leader. Second option might take you to a more beautiful tree, but the process is long. So I would go for option 1.

Someone mentioned growing it as a leader. I would just be nervous about taking everything above it off (it was a father day gift some years ago). If I were to, would I then just wire it to continue the shape and let it grow?

Thanks

Yes, if you shoose to cut the top off and grow that branch as a new leader it makes sence to put some mowement into it.

Hmm. Looking at the photos again. The first have wire on and the second not. It seems like that branch is still flexible. I think it has a fairly good position on the trunk. Wouldn't it be possible to keep the tree as is and just wire it to the back giving more deapth?

Yeah, I had a go at wiring to that back. I couldn’t get a super tight bend, worried about breaking it (I nearly did). Do you think it needs to bend more maybe?

I think that it is a possibility yes. I would not make the branch going back and crossing the trunk. I would place it more as a layer that are placed visually from that side inbetween the two right branches but facing backwards not crossing the trunk.

Thank you for your advice, a bit more like this? I don’t want to keep playing with it as I think the shoulder is starting to split, should heal though right?