I kind of like this tree. My opinion is that both bar branches at the bottom should be removed. Maybe if there is even another too thick branch above that, that could be removed also. Since the branches in the middle and top are the youngest and most flexible, those are the ones that should become part of the design. You should be able to pull one of those down quite a bit. This will enventually give you a pad lower on the trunk even though the branch comes from the middle or even top section of the tree. Since pines are apically dominant, removing the bottom branches will send all the energy into the middle and top sections, which will help create a nice, strong tree.
Rob