no offense md but unless the OP wants a super tall finished tree your proposed cuts are way too high. The cut in the first virt actually creates horrific reverse taper if you look at it from that perspective.
None taken. The OP never specified what size he would like the finished tree to be. my suggested cut I estimated would be about 8-12 inches above the soil line, resulting in a tree around two feet tall. I guess OP might be after a sumo, but I personally dont find that look particularly attractive, so its not usually my go-to styling.
Yes, I see what you are saying, however:
1. That first virtual would be the SIDE view. I used that to show where he could air-layer and get himself a couple more trees out of this operation.
2. Again, based on the side view- The planting angle would need to be adjusted from left to right, and obviously that cut is a rough idea of where the finished cut would be. I left a bit of space for die-back, and then carving it down to correct the taper.