Carpinus design question

[Bnana]

A bit over a year ago I collected this Carpinus betulus in an overgrown garden.
It has a trunk with a 12.5 cm/ 5 inch circumference and a low split. I cut out back a lot last year but one truck seems too tall. The roots are normally covered by substrate but there is a start of a nebari.
I'd like to know what more experienced bonsai enthusiasts would do with this.

Front


Side


Other side

Back




And the base

I think the tall truck is out of proportion. What would you do? Shorten to the branch just above the other trunk? Or cut down to the lowest branch like:
There is a bud growing on the bottom right, that can become the first branch, the branch just below the red line can be the second branch.
Will that work? Are there better options?

 

[AlainK]

Carpinus betulus can have nice-looking scars that don't "bulge" too much : I would keep the lower branch without pruning it. It will help the lower cut to heal, and you can remove it later.

 

[Bnana]

Good to hear you think the scars will be fine. Would you chop at the red line? Leave that trunk? Or cut it a different length?

 

[AlainK]

Would you chop at the red line? Leave that trunk? Or cut it a different length?

No, no, no ! I would leave the two trunks. Why do you want to maime it further ?

 

[Bnana]

The longest of the two seems to be out of proportion and pretty straight to me.
Could be that that gets better once the other branches are developed.
Thanks for the input

 

[sorce]

I like that you've made the difficult decision to remove a trunk. It's very subtle, takes long future vision, and a right set of balls to see and do it.

I see this as complete and "meh" with both in about 20 years.
Excellent with one in 40.

That red cut wouldn't heal to a nice outline, best to shave it for a smooth healing.

I like that the small trunk has those left branches to heal that cut, it's kind of a blessing seeing how that's the inside.

A root spread so nice deserves excellence even if just for our grandchildren in old age.

Sorce

 

[defra]

nice roots.
i got another option for you:


Airlayer at the green line and then later chop at red line
airlayered part you can grow out as either double trunk or single trunk
botom part after chop will have great movement and taper.
it will take many years but it has potentional!

 

[Bnana]

I'm well aware that this is not a 5 year or even 10 year project.
Apparently it makes sense that I'm in doubt as I see both directions here as well.
I do like Defra's option, but that will be a substantial wound.

 

[defra]

I'm well aware that this is not a 5 year or even 10 year project.
Apparently it makes sense that I'm in doubt as I see both directions here as well.
I do like Defra's option, but that will be a substantial wound.

yes it will be, look up some of @BobbyLane his threads they might inspire you

 

[Bnana]

Airlayer at the green line and then later chop at red line
airlayered part you can grow out as either double trunk or single trunk

I've been thinking about this option but with the current leader in the right that would move the top far to the right.
Maybe it is an option to have the branch on the left of that trunk as leader.

There is a branch on the outside given behind the trunk that can be bended down and to the right.

That would be something like this:

The two branches in the you are the new leader and a sacrificial branch. The two grey branches are already there but small. With Carpinus ramification doesn't seem to be hard and backbudding happens a lot.
This would be quite a lot and will set the tree back but might work best in the (very) long run.

 

[defra]

Yeah thats a good option.
Bonsai is almost never short term and the long run requires patience but will give the best results.