Pondering over an Amur, how many trunks?

[wireme]

The earliest pic I have here. I started this from seed, grew the dead trunk in the back. It got moused and I kept going with the subsequent basal shoots. At this point I planned on triple trunk. The high root on the right was later pruned off also, callous shows in the pics after this one.
Fast forward to 2016 spring, I'm thinking now to let some more of the basal buds that keep popping to become trunks, allow 5-9 maybe. The zone circled in red is a spot where I'm trying to decide between developing the current small trunk or remove it and grow it the two buds at the base. I'm viewing this as still a long term project, not expecting a "finished image" anytime soon so I don't really mind cutting something off now and restarting trunks for a better future.
A springtime shot from above. She's no Ebihara but the nebari shows some promise for the future now I figure. Even coming out under the original dead side, that's nice.
Last June, allowed the basal buds to grow, have to decide in spring what to keep. More trunks?

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I'd like to have some trunks lower on the base or roots. Perhaps thread graft to move a few of those trunks? Might be simpler to just make cuttings this year, and then thread graft the next.

 

[wireme]

I'd like to have some trunks lower on the base or roots. Perhaps thread graft to move a few of those trunks? Might be simpler to just make cuttings this year, and then thread graft the next.

Yeah, thanks there's a thought. I've been thinking the same, lower down better. They may come on their own, I've rubbed off low buds in the past and good chance they'll be back. I'll look with that in mind though, leave a whip or three next year for 2018 maybe if needed.

 

[sorce]

I think once that center trunk gains the bark character or will get less "straight".

I'd be in here...

Rubbing off anything lower...

Right side smallest.

Love this one.

Sorce

 

[wireme]

I think once that center trunk gains the bark character or will get less "straight".

I'd be in here...View attachment 131374

Rubbing off anything lower...

Right side smallest.

Love this one.

Sorce

That was the plan when I was thinking triple, for the sides anyways. The centre well, I was hoping not to but knowing I might have to. Haven't quite given up on outgrowing awkward rather than removing it, not yet... Now I'm thinking clumpier clump maybe.

Want to hear something funny? The seed was planted in 1992! (I think I started attempting bonsai around 2003) Damn thing is around 25yrs old already. A bit embarrassing but I could explain . I think I can move it along a bit quicker now...

 

[wireme]

Wider shot with hand under for scale, forgot to zoom out after drawing red circle earlier.

 

[0soyoung]

???

 

[Tieball]

Gave me a nice chuckle....you said..."I started this from seed, grew the dead trunk in the back.". I was trying to figure out how you grew a dead trunk.