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Hi everyone.

I'm new to bonsai and need some help with this Acer palmatum. I found it at a non-bonsai nursery so it has been pruned a bit awkwardly into sort of a ball shape. There are a few relatively low branches that I think can be strengthened to eventually get some nice taper. I plan on trimming the long chutes and then waiting until February when the leaves have fallen and I can see what I am working with in terms of shaping. Is this a good idea or should I thin it out and start shaping it now? The tree is about 22" tall with a 1.5" trunk. NC, USA.

I'd appreciate any tips or suggestions. Thanks.

I just realized this probably doesn't belong in the help section. Sorry about that.

Welcome to the forum.

Are you sure it has been trimmed this way? What variety of maple is it? It could be kiyohime, which grows naturally this way. If it is, I would keep the shape as is, and just clean up a little.

I personally wait untill leavedrop before doing maintenance on my maples in fall. No reason to now take away the leaves which are full of goodies for the tree to resorb once fall starts.

Thanks LB.

It is Sharp's Pygmy so it may not have been trimmed this way since they are a naturally small maple variety. I initially thought so because of the thick trunk relative to the height and it was surrounded with taller, thinner trunked maples at the nursery.

I will wait until the leaves drop which will probably be soon since natural trees are just beginning to change color in my area. In my novice opinion, it is very thick and has great ramification already so there will likely be a lot of options with styling which makes me happy, but also means I will probably need some guidance. I plan on reposting in the Progressions thread later this fall so keep an eye out there if you want to help me out.