A man of principles - I cant help but respect that squiz
Interested in the fused group you have there. I had mine (
M. linearfolia) bundled up in grafting tape for about 9 months. They grafted in places, but for most of it they formed some decent paperbark which probably kept them from fusing! Have re-wrapped my lot after stripping sections of the bark back to the cambium and hoping that does the job. Having been wrapped together for a while it provided nice flat sections to indicate what sections of bark needed to go. Be interested to see your update when you unwrap that trunk - the shape looks great so fingers crossed it works out for you!
Steve