Tree currently has 4 main limbs growing. Thinking it would look a lot better if I reduced it to 2? Which one should I remove if any?
"If I were you" (and I'm not you), I'd remove the branch marked in red now, then a few months later (mid-june 23 ?) cut the stub back like where I drew a green line. My 2 € cents... ;-)
We really need a picture of the whole tree to judge how it will affect the balance of the overall shape. Removing 2 of the 4 limbs instead of just one might leave it looking empty up top, and might be a bit of a drastic change if both are done at the same time.
All the branches look structurally sound; none of them are very narrow forks liable to fail in storms. So I don't see any need to remove any of them, unless for any reason you don't want the tree to have low branches.
An interesting point of view. Yes, perhaps you "don't have to." The tree in the middle distance, behind this one, also has a strong branch that goes the same direction. Maybe that's the way it should be... ;-)
Having now seen the full tree the only limb I would think about cutting is the smallest one that points back towards the house. Otherwise @Michael F 's suggestion to leave it alone is the way to go. When the tree fills out more the branch junction in the pictures will be heavily shaded and less noticeable, so I don't think it matters too much if the look of the junction is not 100% perfect, as long as it is strong and healthy.
Why would you cut any of the four main branches? Just make a few selective cuts of the taller branches at the top of the tree. Follow the highest top branches down to their main stem and cut them out. The right side looks a little top heavy and pushing out more then the left side so bring that in line with the left side. Thats what I would do...
Perhaps I was not that clear in my description. I was only referring to the tallest limbs that seem to be extending further on the right top / side of the tree. Bringing them back to the limb they are attached to would give the tree a much more balanced look on all sides / top. And again a "balanced look" can be very subjective and personal of course! And I was referring to this image:
I wouldn't remove any of the main limbs, I think it would look quite unbalanced. As it is, there's no central leader, so it has nowhere to go but out and up. The branch that Alain marked, with the curve, looks a little odd for now, but as the tree grows it will have a nice character. As for aesthetic pruning for balance, I'd let it grow out for some years before considering it. (MO only, of course). However, any large branch that is pruned should be cut directly to the branch collar, so that the tree can begin compartmentalization, rather than a two stage process (as one might do with a small JM branch).
