Japanese maple bonsai styling help?

GoingGrey

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Beginner here. I'm in NE, zone 6. I have been reading/viewing bonsai information online and books. I got this first JM tree at a workshop and attempted to style it. I know I don't like the broom style. I think I would like a bit of movement of the trunk. I understand that I can't do anything for this tree at this moment, I will let it grow and watch it for a year to form an idea. But I would like to know my options to train this tree for example, where should I chop the trunk next year, Any advice to help me form my own idea styling this tree would help.
 

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0soyoung

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The principle way you will be able to put movement into that trunk will be to chop it, say just above that lower right branch. This is not a bad time of year to do that, but first you want to let it go until the lower trunk is pretty much as thick as you want.

I see that you've put some wire on it, at least it looks like there is wire on that lower left branch. You should be able to carefully bend/twist it up like a pig tail or corkscrew, not that this is an attractive line --> the point is, try to put all the movement you can into it. You can likely do this now, though, after leaf fall is when it is most commonly done. Branches can always be regrown, so don't be paranoid. It is a valuable exercise to find out what you can do before it snaps. When it snaps, you can simply cover it with plastic wrap for a few weeks and it should 'heal', provided there was a line of cambium in tact across the break - just don't wiggle it around.

Otherwise, I think you need to let it grow for now.
 

AlainK

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The principle way you will be able to put movement into that trunk will be to chop it, say just above that lower right branch.

That was my first thought, but I didn't want to post a reply for it sounds extreme for beginners, but then I read Osoyoung's reply and yes, to me that's the best option.
 

0soyoung

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That was my first thought, but I didn't want to post a reply for it sounds extreme for beginners, but then I read Osoyoung's reply and yes, to me that's the best option.
:oops: I meant lower left per the pic. and I think you do as well - right? :rolleyes:
 

GoingGrey

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Thank you for your tips. I will let it grow this year.
 
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