Remove middle trunk?

[Cotyledon]

un known azalea stump. About 9 inches across. Should I remove the middle trunk too?

Dug up today from landscape shrub. I never had a multi trunk tree . Ideas welcome. Tree wil prob sit for 2 yrs after pruning.

 

[Eric Group]

It looks to me like the best tree here is if you just cut it along the right profile line of the far left trunk. Maybe you'd get a big ole sumo single trunk AND a double trunk with potential... Or maybe you'd kill the whole thing, who knows! Whatever you do, I'd prolly wait a year or two.

 

[jk_lewis]

The middle trunk is the only one with any real character. Remove it and all you have is a stump that goes off in two widely different directions.
Get rid of all the long, skinny branches (or shorten them to 1-inch stubs), then let it grow, pinching regularly to develop side branches. Do this for a couple of years, then see what you have.

 

[barrosinc]

Azaleas can be split, if you want to keep left trunk as tree #1, and two right trunks as tree #2

 

[Cotyledon]

I agree the left trunk is the nicest part. How would you guys split it? Chainsaw? Axe would prob crush it?
Now I have to go stare at this thing for a while

 

[michaelj]

I would just use a reciprocating saw with a wood cutting or demo blade.

 

[Cypress187]

I agree the left trunk is the nicest part. How would you guys split it? Chainsaw? Axe would prob crush it?
Now I have to go stare at this thing for a while

I like the axe idea, i bet noone ever tryed that, that will bring even more character exspeccially when u chop it wrong

 

[Cotyledon]

I may have to buy a cheap recip saw. I use a multi tool to reach in tight spots and that works great. Also It will look nice and mad scientist like when I use it. My wife always comes out when I'm working on trees and says "poor tree"

We could prob create some real interest with some wild ax swings . Or get a friend and crack it like a wishbone

 

[barrosinc]

just use a small saw...

 

[johng]

Who knows how it is going to recover especially with those huge pruning scars....give it some time, then make your decision. The tree will most likely decide for you.