I will say nothing, other than if you like the results, keep doing what you’re doing. I personally believe that if you treat your tree like a hedge, you’re very likely to get a hedge as a result. That’s where this tree is headed. Not a problem - I like a good hedge row as much as the next guy. But if this were mine, I’d cut all the branches either off or back to the first node without hesitation and start over. You’ll never get good movement in a lignified branch thicker than a matchstick.
I’d strongly encourage those who are interested in developing broadleaf hardwood trees to purchase Bill Valavanis’ book “Classical Bonsai Art”. Although I don’t think he uses the word “hedge” anywhere in it, he does document the development of a couple of dozen fantastic broadleaf bonsai through over 30 years of photographs. He takes the most modest of nursery stock and demonstrates over and over how to build really great bonsai with fantastic branch structure. He covers drastic cutback, wound healing and developing nebari and branch structure in lots of detail. It’s the best book on developing broadleaf hardwood bonsai I have found. You’ll probably find the techniques he discusses familiar. One of the first case studies is “Trident Maple Bonsai #33” taking a field grown 10 year old trident maple from Tennessee into a really spectacular tree. When was he wiring during development? July. Why? In order to get movement in the branches before they are lignified.
Scott
I’d love to look at the book but it’s over $200. There’s been a few suggestions for books over my time on the forum but unfortunately, realistically, they are simply very expensive.
But thank you for the recommendation.