Help with styling

I bought this Acer as a cutting and last year cut the top off.
It shot out long side shoots and was wanting some a
dvice re styling before cutting it back this year.

You need to get to a place in your mind where you understand the difference between growing out raw stock and styling trees in a pre-bonsai condition. You need to place this tree in the ground, or a pond basket, or a colander, something where the roots can develop but not escape and let the tree develop a fat trunk. During this time you need to study existing literature on J. Maples and get a grasp on how the tree works and what kind of things you can do to it and when. If you can find the book: Bonsai Design . Japanese Maples by Peter Adams you would be a good pace down the road to answering your own questions and solving your own problems.

Vance Wood wrote:You need to get to a place in your mind where you understand the difference between growing out raw stock and styling trees in a pre-bonsai condition.  You need to place this tree in the ground, or a pond basket, or a colander, something where the roots can develop but not escape and let the tree develop a fat trunk.  During this time you need to study existing literature on J. Maples and get a grasp on how the tree works and what kind of things you can do to it and when.  If you can find the book:   Bonsai Design . Japanese Maples by Peter Adams you would be a good pace down the road to answering your own questions and solving your own problems.  

+1

"During this time you need to study existing literature on J. Maples (...)" ... and be patient.

"Instant bonsai" is a myth:

1/ cultivation
2/ styling
(3/ imagination)

Thank you very much. I am very aware that bonsai isn't an instant thing. My main concern, which I guess I should have stated, is that I have multiple trunks coming off the main one at a very low point and whether I need to address this in some way now or later. I will definately chase down the book and pot this on. Thank you both very much for replying. I Appreciate and will take your advice.

Is it a grafted tree? If so I'd probably ignore it and get another.

If it has no graft then it can be improved upon. I assume that you do not really worry about having a thick trunk? In which case you are after creating some movement and interest in the tree you have.

I'd start by looking at the current branch structure and seeing what is too straight and boring and that which is worth keeping. you may need to use some wire to bend branches to the point where they give movement to straight branches. This can't be dome until all the leaves are off.

So for now just feed it, keep it healthy and let it grow. In winter, after the leaves fall off, post a bunch of pics here and we'll share our thought?

Thanks heaps Brendan.

I'm in Australia so just coming into winter. Still a few leaves left on it. Having been waiting for winter to decide what to do. Will post photos of all sides then. I've ordered " Bonsai design, acers" as suggested also. I appreciate your taking time to answer. Gina