B. Trunk
1. Study the shape, curvature, defects, branch location
and visual movement of the trunk and decide upon
the front to be used in styling the tree.
2. Adjust angle at which the trunk emerges from the soil
so that it rises at about a 25 to 35 degree angle from the
soil to the first branch.
3. The first curve should bend in the direction opposite
from which the lower trunk leans. If at ground level
the trunk leans toward the left, the first curve should
bend back toward the right to reestablish the tree’s
balance.
4. The radius of the curves should become less higher up
on the trunk. Movement should be graceful and not
monotonous.
C. Branches
1. The lowest branch is the heaviest branch, projects
either to the left or to the right when viewing the tree
from the front, never goes towards the rear or front
and is about one third the way up the tree.
2. The second lowest branch is the second heaviest
branch, extends either to the side opposite the lowest
branch, or to the rear of the tree, and is not a bar
branch.
3. The third lowest branch is the third heaviest branch,
extends to the rear or to the opposite side from that of
the lowest branch, depending on placement of the
second branch, and again avoids being a bar branch.
4. Create an apex either from an existing apex or by
removing the old apex and by wiring a front branch
upright.