CA Bolter "this is not a contest" crab apple

[CA Bolter]

I have been on Bonsai Nut for a while but this is my first post. I went to a local nursery today to pick up something just for this "contest". I was thinking little pine or juniper but came across this flowering crab apple. It was 12' tall but the top 9' was dead no true before pic cause they cut it there for me. They gave me 60% off so it was the perfect find for this 4 year project.


First steps are:
1. Deciding where to make chop
2. Repotting
3. Regrowing

Any advise is welcome

 

[Ingvill]

Welcome!

 

[sorce]

I'd let it grow this year....juice it up...chop it down to that first branch to trigger buds low when appropriate for crab...next spring?

Looks a nice base if you can get buds below that band and above the suckers you are golden!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce