Believe it or not, I've had this tree for a number of years. It was one of the first elms in my collection but I left it wired too long and too tightly so the wire bit deeply into the tree. Two years ago, I removed the top half of the tree and brought up a branch. This is the result as of today.

This photo doesn't really do it justice (it doesn't really look quite as bad in person) but still, I'm at a bit of a loss as to a good style. I may just let this guy alone for a few more years and see how it develops naturally.

Fred P. Arnold (11-5-95) - I notice that the Chinese Elm has a strong and interesting lower trunk, but the branch that was raised does a distracting zig-zag as it rises and expands outwards. Have you considered air-layering off the top, possibly to make a slanting style, and then raising another small branch from the base (the straight piece right above the first fork) to form a new apex; one that hopefully would have a better taper? - In fact, I've thought about taking the top just above the lower left branch and bringing the lower left up - again better taper. I guess great minds do think alike {;-)

Michael Persiano (11-5-95) - The top of this tree is extremely strong, while the bottom half is in need of foliar growth. I would recommend that you reduce the foliar strength on the top to transfer energy to the bottom of the tree (cut back leaving 2-3 leaves per shoot). Of course, I would perform this task in the spring and then feed the tree with both chemical and organic fertilizers to promote heavy growth. I have resolved energy imbalances in Nire and Chinese Elms with this approach.

Anton Nijhuis (11-7-95) - You have to air layer the top!! The curves look unnatural compared to the straight trunk. The upper part of the tree does not relate to the lower. I would remove everything above the third branch on the right and make this the new apex, wired to echo the trunk. Trim back the first branch to a proper porportion and replant in a smaller pot. The beautiful hollow in the trunk is distracted by the top of the tree. Be brave!

Sandy Vrooman (11-9-95) - Airlayer and have two trees. The bottom will fill out if you cut the top off.

David Waldo (11-10-95) - Bottom part of trunk (first 1/3) has alot of character. The next 1/3 has some nice bends in it but not enough branches (or not developed enough). The top of the tree seems too heavy compared to the bottom 2/3. The top branches are as big and long as the main branch. Besides the option you mentioned about making the main branch the new apex you may consider making the second large branch on the left the new apex and try to make the tree more full on the lower 2/3 of the trunk. The only problem with this is that you have a straight lower trunk and a curved upper trunk. May not be too appealing. If the branch is flexible I would say go with making the main branch the new apex since the lower part of the trunk will be the main feature of the tree.