I have 6 year old maple tree that was grown from a seedling. It is now about 15 feet in height. About 23 inches up from the ground the trunk splits in a tight Y-shape. The branches from the Y curve upwards nd grow almost vertical. There is a crack forming in the crotch of the Y.
Coming out of the ground, the trunk is about 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Once the trunk forms the Y there is a dominant branch (about 2 1/2 inches in diameter) and a smaller branch (about 2 inches in diameter. I've been told to cut off the smaller branch to prevent the tree from splitting at the Y-shape. Is this good advice?
If I cut the smaller branch off, the remaining dominant branch will then be the trunk of the tree. It will appear to be growing off vertical at the former Y-point. Will this correct itself as the tree matures?
Thanks.