Can I use this Branch?

[pga7602]

Just dumb luck, but I am always left with curvy branches exiting the trunk that make good candidates for a new leader. Here is an example. Is there anything to do to take the curve out? Or does this fix itself after the chop and the leader grows? I'm sure I'm not the only one dealing with this.

Chinese Quince

 

[Stan Kengai]

Just dumb luck, but I am always left with curvy branches exiting the trunk that make good candidates for a new leader. Here is an example. Is there anything to do to take the curve out? Or does this fix itself after the chop and the leader grows? I'm sure I'm not the only one dealing with this.

Unless you're aiming for a formal upright, what is the problem with movement in your trunk? The curve should grow out mostly after you chop and let it thicken. You can see the remnants of using a branch like the one you've pointed out just above your first chop point, this one moving to the right.

Now as far as chopping goes, don't chop so steeply like you've depicted. Keep that branch on the front/right side, the one that is about the same thickness as your leader, to help heal the chop, as they are generally slow to heal.