So despite the general consensus of the good folk here to retain those 2 horizontal roots, I couldn't stop looking at them and they had to go. I had to get this tree out of that small pot as it lost its vigour and it will now serve it's purpose in letting the tree run to heal the new wounds. It's evident that the apex area has become too tall and will need reduction once winter is over. Probably looks exaggerated too as the first few branches are still being grown out for thickness. It may just come together in due time...For now my sole intent is to get the first branch in proportion with the trunk and then rework everything else
Had to get this tree into some fresh mix this year, rebuilding the apex a bit tighter this time. I like the look of the roots since the last update but the rock is slowly disappearing.