Tree: need help with shaping it.
 

This tree in my front yard has sprouted new shoots on the left side. I don't know if I should cut them off or what. How did the PO get the tree to take the domed shape it has?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252166548.jpg

Here's a view looking UP from under the tree.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252166610.jpg

Thats the "natural", cloned form of the tree. I would just cut of the sprouts thats shooting up in the "wrong" direction.

Is it possible the tree is trying to balance itself? Last winter it suffered a heavy snow load and now tilts to the right.

Possible, but I rather think its branches coming from the original tree stem, growing upward like most trees do naturally. The hanging stile is often a cultivated form that is "cut and pasted" onto a stronger, more viable and tolerant natural form of tree. Are the upward sprouts growing out from the base of the trunk or much further up?

Thanks Livi. The sprouts are coming from about half way up the trunk.

I don't understand "The hanging stile is often a cultivated form that is "cut and pasted" onto a stronger, more viable and tolerant natural form of tree." ??

It's gnarly mess at the top. I was thinking perhaps the PO directed the growth of the branches at the top?

Sorry. I don´t know the terms in English. There are many 'cultivated' forms of threes, that differ from the trees original shape of growing. Miniatures, hanging, different colors etc. I don´t know what species your tree is, but that shape of growing is not natural. Its a kind of genetic fluke, thats been cultivated to grow in that manner.

Many trees, typically fruit of all kinds, like apple trees, have a root and base stem from a tree with good, resilient characteristics. Now, from the base of the stem you literary cut and paste another subspecies onto the original so they grow together during infancy. The upper part, with all the branches and leaves, having special characteristics (for example hanging branches).

Sometimes the original stem part sprouts new shoots that will have the characteristics of the original tree (for example with branches growing upward).

Thanks Livi, I appreciate your help.