Thank you for taking time out of your day to help me with my question.
Bought this little guy in August and I have done some minor shorting of the tree and I just cant figure out what to do with it. I feel that it might be a little top heavy. I am not set on any one styling at the moment but I would like to give it more of a traditional bonsai look. Any suggestions?
There is not much you can do with this tree till July of the coming year. Depending on what response you get from your cut back in August, which should be starting to show a bunch of new buds all over the place, you are going to have to let these new buds run wild till next summer. This is an important point: Let them grow till July before you even touch them. Also do not pull off or cut off any of the old needles. You will have better results getting back budding with them in place. Then you can start to see some directions. It is good that you have no pre-selected plans as what you want to do, this leaves you with all options on table.
I would however; consider removing one of the two major branches; but, this can possibly wait till the trunk thickens a bit more unless the trunk starts to thicken at the crotch instead of the base. This is a common problem with the way Mugos develop. The tend to form knuckles at the point where the new growth emerges. In the spring as the tree pops, post some pictures and I will do what I can to help you get through this stage of development as well as the advice from other growers.
