Thank you all for responding.
I did go out and get some photos, but it was twilight and I didn't adjust the white balance correctly on my camera and the photos are kind of dark, but I think you can see where my question is coming from with the photos.
When I bought the tree, I saw that it seemed to have multiple "trunks" when it was in the nursery can, but didn't understand that the tree would not grow up and have those as the lower branches.
I didn't notice that he had pruned out what I have learned is called the "leader" of a tree to make it branch out at the top. As the tree has grown it has created an awkward growth pattern.
This photo shows how the tree has grown at the top ... the leaves have just started dropping.
These photos are the best I could get of the whole tree tonight and are kind of from the same angle because of the sun.
I really don't mind losing the blooms next year, if that is required to train the tree properly ... thanks for the heads up, Leftwood ... but I don't know where my pruning cuts should be for this tree. I've read conflicting information about pruning young trees. Some sources say to prune and train the tree when it is very young, while others say that the tree should be established in its location before any pruning or shaping is done. I made the choice to let the tree to become established, but it growing at a much faster rate than I expected. It must like this climate
Even if I don't touch the tree, now, I'd like to have a sense of what I need to do when I do work on the tree. So, again, any advice is very much appreciated.
Smiles,
Lyn
