Identify & Prune Tree

Well I have looked very closely at you first couple of photos MJ & it looke to me like it was either damaged at the base early in it's life which is possible as they are quite delicate in some ways or it was coppiced or cut to ground level. To give it that shape. All of which I have seen. This a photo of the branches on mine at the moment. Bearing in mind that mine is an older tree, they look the same.

 

I thought it had been damaged. They are very prone to branches snapping like twigs in high winds when in full leaf. I don't think yours is old enough to flower yet. Looks very healthy though. Even in leaf they are very attractive. Wll look forward to you photo, hope you find one...

 

That photo is plenty good enough MJ..! I can see the leaves quite clearly & it is definatley Tulip Tree-Liriodendron. Wait till next middle of month to prune. They take well to sympathetic pruning as I said. So study the shape before you start, then prune a bit,stop look at the shape again, just to make sure you are cutting evenly. Nothing worse than a lopsided tree...! :D Then carry on, stopping to look at it every now & then. Also stand & look at it from the side that you will see all the time to make sure you like what you see.... :D :D Good Luck & post a photo when it is back in leaf, then you will have a before & after photo... :D