Help with first prune.

[Finnbaks7]

Hi,
I collected a tree off of my land here in s.c. It is an American beech. Good rot ball. I have put it in a pot and put some guy wires. Now my question is when do I prune it? Leaves have fallen from all trees around my area except for the water oaks. I know this beech I have keeps its leaves but we have had some windy say and the leaves are gone. But again should I wait before pruning until it's spring here or go ahead? I'm a newbie. I have many trees that I have managed to pot and keep alive. To plant around the house. Here is a pic of the beech.
Any help would be awesome thanks...

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

You can prune it now. Just be sure to leave a viable bud on each remaining shoot. Often, beech will dedicate all their energy to the buds on the exterior, and the buds left in the interior will wither at worst, and open unreliably at best.

 

[Finnbaks7]

So I shouldn't wait till closer to spring? It's been in a pot for about a 8 days. Still looking at it every day to figure the style of it or what I want it to look like if you see any thing in the pics of where or how you would prune it. That would help to give me some ideas. Thanks for the input very needed.

 

[JudyB]

You should take a look at Harry Harringtons website, he has a really great article about beech development. Keep in mind that he's in Europe, and the weather conditions are different, but you can use the information there with that in mind. I don't know how this will do for you having been collected recently, it's not the best time to collect trees...
here is a link.
http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATBeechbonsaiprogression.htm

 

[Finnbaks7]

I've been to his site before but never saw that article. That was great. Thanks. Y'all have any ideas of where to start pruning. I've looked at hundreds of pictures. But would like to know what y'all recommend first.