Training advice needed on a gift

[Booga]

I hope you's had a great weekend I received this tree from my aunty in December 2011 as a gift. It is my only Maple or could it be Liquid Amber
The first shot is roughly as it was when I first got it, but it was a bit lankier. I decided on a trunk chop and this is a shot from today and I am at a loss on where to go from here and would appreciate the help.
Ok ok I knew were going to say Bigger Pot But after looking at its root ball on the re-pot this season i decided to put it back in the same bonsai pot as there was still heaps of room to spare and at the same time I also got it out of the potting mix and into mine (sifted sand from a local dam mixed with sifted Potting mix) Anyhow that's this trees history and I hopping to show its progression with the help of you guys, Should I prune and if so where

maple2.jpg

maple.jpg

Cheers Dave

[kcpoole]

'tis a Japanese Maple alright

I woud cut back to the top branch on the right hand side and then tilt to the left. This will give movement out of the ground and the start of taper in the trunk.

see the wiki for a great guide on how to develop trunk taper. https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... eate_taper
Ken

[Booga]

'tis a Japanese Maple alright

I woud cut back to the top branch on the right hand side and then tilt to the left. This will give movement out of the ground and the start of taper in the trunk.

see the wiki for a great guide on how to develop trunk taper. https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... eate_taper
Ken

Thanks for the ID Ken It is good to know that its a Japanese Maple I like that idea of training that new leader! and at such a young age there is no need to wire the trunk for movement

So at this point I should leave the rest of the tree and not prune or chop other branches

Dave

[Andrew Legg]

Dave,

The first thing to do here is answer the question: How big is this tree going to be when complete? I agree that for now all it needs is to grow out and thicken up, but where you make your chop will depend largely on ho high you visualise the final tree. Either way, for now, grow it and feed it and keep it healthy!

Cheers,

Andrew

[anttal63]

Hey dave this is what i do regardless of the future size ...then next year plant on an angle
Zoom in to read clear

maple.ajpg.jpg

In a few years to achieve this...

2012-07-22-046.jpg

[Booga]

You lot have confused me but that's ok I might go with your advice for now Ken I think that I can always do what Ant suggested at a later date.
I have read that if you let the tree grow without pruning you end up with a good root ball which the tree could do with at the moment.

Thanks for the input dudes