I saved this tree from a very badly positioned location. It was planted on a slope nestled behind some tall shrubs so it's been leaning to get sun.

Now it leans to one side. I would like to encourage a balanced look. The right most branch has small nodes coming through.

Can you advise where I should cut to make it more balanced? Should I remove lower branch completely and not encourage new nodes?

By the way, It is early Spring right now.

Thanks. This is my first tree transplant.

Personally, I would've leaned the trunk to make the branches more upright. Then, just shortened the branches.

I thought about the too but then the root ball would be poking out if the ground.
Also the photo is in 2D. What you can't see is the top branch is actually reaching out to the front, so reaching out to you as you look front on. The side side branch is reaching out to the side.

Understood. Plants will still "right" themselves to grow towards the light. I always just try to find the balance when replanting. This is an example of a leaning plant came back true.

Nice. Thanks for that. I will leave it at that and let it grow how it wants.

The weight may not be perfectly balanced. I would put some stakes for a while as a precaution.