Bobby, here's one example. I started this ilex last year. I chopped it hard and allowed it to grow free all last year to regain strength. A week ago, I started the process to build taper in some of the branches by cutting them back. I'll select one new twig this year to be the new leader, then next year I'll start on building ramification. Branches that are too thin I left alone to grow and thicken. I left the two leaders at the top long, with the terminal buds intact. The one on the left had several side branches which I removed, to allow the terminal bud to get all the energy to grow strong. Leaving the two leaders long will accomplish two things- it will thicken the leader, which I will cut back next year or the one after, and it will also thicken the trunk more. I'll get some wire on it at some point this year.
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I have some pitch pines in the ground which I'm doing the same to- a single stalk of apical leader to thicken the tree, while lower branches are allowed to thicken or are being candle pinched. Unfortunately I only have crap photos of them. My observation seems to be that terminal sacrifice branches seem to thicken the trunk better than low ones, which only have to be pruned off, leaving a big scar.