md4958

Tazzer,

Being that this is a maple and most maples tend to send shoots out everywhere, you should look for some other feature that would determine your "front"

This could be: great nebari (surface roots), an interesting trunk line, brach placement (not an issue in this case), etc.

Have you had a look at the nebari (surface roots)? Do they spread nicely? If they all spread radially (ideal) then look for the angle where the trunk looks its widest. You also want to avoid reverse taper (Where a higher point on the trunk is thicker than the point below it).

From the last photo you posted your trunk looks as straight as a telephone pole. Gently scrape away the soil from trunk with a chop stick or some other such item. Lets have a look at whats under the dirt.

Moe