Shimpaku Juniper Apex Reduction Question

[jkennedy2316]

Advice requested. I am considering a major chop of the highest branch that extends up from the main trunk (left side of the Y) to make the right drooping branch the main leader. I feel like the left highest branch breaks the visual flow and taper. The right drooping branch lends to tree’s overall cascade movement. The left most vertical branch seems too tall for proportionality.

Is this worth air layering in June in 8a? Can I make a major chop like this at this time of year? On the one hand air layering is appealing because these types of junipers are expensive. On the other, feels like it will set development back of this tree by forgoing an energy redirection.

[MartyWeiser]

I agree with removal of the current apex. What about converting it to a jin and bringing some of the branching at its base around so the jin pokes up from foliage? It would be a good time to create the jin since the bark will probably slip off fairly well, but a poor time to do any major bends of living branches since the bark may slip. Bending the new jin would work well just after peeling.