I can't decide which side looks the best

[Watto]

I owe more thank-you's now for the thoughts and information given by everyone.
A small confession - option 2 is my current front and as it didn't get many votes that's probably why I wasn't in love with it. From the shari there is a hole through the trunk and that emerges half way down the trunk and can be sen in the photo of option 3.
But, onto the more important matter of the re-design. I believe that right after leaf fall is the very best time to work on deciduous trees so in the next week I will commence work on this tree, well the trimming and wiring (potting will need to wait until August). I like the idea of a round pot but because I am currently in lockdown I won't get an opportunity to buy or make a new pot unless there is an easing of restrictions.
I promise I will post a photo of the completed work soon. Again, thankyou for your input.

[TimS]

My totally novice eye is drawn to option 1 and shortening the lowest left hand branch to keep the flow pushing to the right. I’d also maybe shorten the first branch on the right hand side too as I think could look better being a bit more compact in keeping with the upper of the tree.

Just my initial impressions of what I might do, overall a nice tree though, certainly not saying it needs radical rework!

[Matt S]

Option 1 for me too. Options 3 and 4 make the trunk look straighter, and I prefer the nebari and shari on 1 over 2.

For me all the branches are too long and would be improved by reducing by at least half and replacing the leader for better taper, but maybe let them go for a bit longer first to fatten up the base of each branch. Then you can decide which ones to keep. Nice tree!

Matt.

[Watto]

As promised here is the tree after work (trimming and wiring). This is really a tree by committee and my thanks again.
I think the work has improved the taper and given direction, it certainly is thinner and I hope that there is some drama in the scene.
Anyway, again I would appreciate your thoughts on the new look.

[PWC]

definitely an improvement

[Per PF]

Certainly more dramatic now, nice tree! (I would also vote 1 btw..)

Some out of the box, down the line thoughts from a beginner:
Maybe shift some roots (if possible?) to the left to fill in that negative nebari-space, to make it look more balanced?
Maybe go even further with the carving to more of an open trunk (from the branch-nub above the left branch), making the sides of the trunk uneven? This could possibly create more of a taper as well.

Hope to have a tree like this some day

Per

[Watto]

Per, the carving leads to a hollow trunk that "comes out" on the other side of the trunk. I hope the follow photos show this. It is difficult to show in the 2D but where the hole exits the trunk I hope to continue the hole to include where I removed a large lower branch and hopefully that will improve the taper a little bit more.

[Per PF]

Aha, got it! Thank you for explaining further. I think we're on the same page there I just couldn't articulate it well enough sorry