As a friend and I contemplated whether or not to take clippers and come to the aid of my damaged young apple tree only about a foot high, I opted for leaving it alone. Let it do it's restorative thing on its own.
The small tree's top had been broken off - possibly by a deer.
The young growing plant has already begun the natural job of restoration with sturdy balancing lower branches.
Careful trimming in the right places may have worked, too.
Still, sometimes too much interference of or control over growing things can do more harm than good.