New to bonsai and need advice

[Kharetore]

Hi all,
I have a few nursery brought trees, Japanese Maple, Liquid Amber and a Trident Maple.
They are all around 1m tall with the first branch around 30cm from the soil. They are around 1-2cm thick at the base.
What would you recommend I do. I'm nervous of doing a trunk chop.
See attached pics.
Thanks.

2016-10-27 20.53.1y2.jpg

2016-10-27 20.51.04.jpg

[kcpoole]

Hi and welcome
Start reading here https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie and then decide

2 things you can do, Put themin the ground and grow on, or trunk chop and wire some movement in to the new leaders. Not much else you can do with deciduous trees.
chop wire and eventually build branching on the trunk and then wire and trim the branches to build ramification.

Ken

[shibui]

All those species will shoot new buds if you prune them so no need to worry about chopping if you need to.

[Watto]

G'day and welcome on-board.
That Japanese maple will be OK in a short period of time, but like all bonsai projects needs work. I think get that stake out of the pot, its there to keep it straight and generally straight is not the best (there are some exceptions though). Cutting it down is probably the best option. In your climate it will pop news buds, and at this time of year it is the best time. Don't do major cutting on Japanese maple in the winter, always wait until they are in leaf.
Most importantly enjoy the journey, don't be scared it is just good fun.

[Kharetore]

Thanks for all your replies.
Should I air layer them and get two from one or if I do chop them will they grow from the cuttings?
Good point I will take the stake out.
Cheers

[shibui]

Liquidamber strikes from cuttings.
Maples should strike as well but I do not have success with them
Layering is an option but that will take several months and while that's happening you cannot really develop your lower bonsai. Need to consider: is the delay worth it for a possible extra tree?
I would only layer if there was a really good bonsai in the upper part of the tree. There are far easier ways to get more mediocre bonsai.