Wild Olive Yamadori Design Help

[itisoktodance]

I need help with my new olive tree.

This here is a wild olive yamadori from the island of Crete (in Greece).



Here are a few more views, as well as a potting suggestion from the guy that gave it to me.







My main dilemma is:

Should I chop off the section of the trunk that currently forms the apex to force growth in the lateral direction to the right, or do I keep that growth and remove the growth/deadwood to the right of the apex?

Here’s how the first situation would look (roughly):



And here’s a rough look at the second situation:



Clearly, the second situation is far less invasive and dramatic, but I’m also not too sure on my feelings about how it looks. I feel like the first situation would give rise to some nice taper, but I’m unsure of how it would affect the health of the tree, what would be the appropriate time and method to perform the operation.

Thanks in advance to anyone who chimes in!

 

[sorce]

I'd flip a coin and chop.

Welcome to Crazy!

But not too soon. The more growth you cut off the better you may get buds lower, which would make it look nicer overall.

Sorce