Koyote, To start with we "try" and be up front and honest when some one shows something and asks an opinion. No sense in wasting your time and any contributors.
So saying that you have the proverbial stick in the pot. That I know you will develop into a wonderful tree
. My main concern is if you didn't shoot yourself in the foot by jinning that branch, that might have been a good choice for a lead to the apex. There looks like there was additional branches for you to work with to make a better canopy.
So that is a thing of the past and the question out there is jins. You may like a zig zag bolt of lightning type jin but is that what will enhance the tree. This particular tree doesn't have any zig zags in it so to artificially impose one at or near the top would look out of place and would stick out like a sore thumb. A twisting jin you might get away with visually if your heart is set on it. You can achieve this with "FIRE"
My friend Graydon's method may work, it is a bit over the top for me
. You don't need to steam it. Cover the foliage with a damp cloth. Take a micro torch and heat the deadwood. This will liquify the resins in the tree. With a pair of jin pliers or everyday pliers gently twist the branch a little at a time letting each section cool as you go. Repeat this till you achieve the look you want. The jin will take an instant set when the resins cool. This method is fast and efficient and will sooth the itch for instant gratification. Any charing can be removed with a scotch bright or fine grit sand paper. What discoloring thats left will make your lime sulphur application even more convincing as it will take on a more grayish hue than stark white. Graydon's safety instructions should be taken to heart no matter what method you use. Remember that you have one shot at it....don't make a treebaque out of your larch.
I think the real question here is does that long jin fit the tree. My opinion is no, while I like large jins in the right place on the right tree. This one I'm sorry to say just doesn't work , at least for me. A short jin suggesting that some thing was there at one time would be more interesting. I did a virt suggesting this. I'm pretty lousy at virts but should get the idea across. I think you need to bring the foliage back as well and start with a compact basic design and build from that point.
Good luck with the tree.
