Hi guys, I recently picked up this tree and its in very bad shape, can someone help me identify it and give me any tips so I can help it back on its feet?

looks like ligustrum to me.

was it like this when you got it? how are you taking care of it?

The tree is about 9 years old, I had it for the first 7, growing it form a seed, but moved away for two years so my family were looking after it. So this is how I got it back last week!

I water it when the soil starts to dry out, watering it until excess starts to run put of he drainage holes.

I also have some feed for it that I will apply once every so often.

I was thinking of trimming it back, is this a good idea before winter or should I leave it until after? I want a nice triangular shape. I would also like the lower beaches to sprout but they seem dead, anything I can do to help this?

Also, any tips for general care?

RyanJ wrote: The tree is about 9 years old, I had it for the first 7, growing it form a seed, but moved away for two years so my family were looking after it. So this is how I got it back last week!

You must be confused. Or, in other words. Why do you write this if you know it is not true?

LB, I guess you say this because this looks like the typical S-shaped mallsai with standard branch placement, including the apparently always present wire scar?

I got it as a 'grow your own' bonsai tree kit which may explain the shape and standard branch placements, and I did use wire to form the shape which regrettably scarred it but I was just following the instructions in the pack!

Do you have any advice to get it back under control?

RyanJ wrote: Do you have any advice to get it back under control?

Not really. If you have had it for 7 years, you will know better than us under which circumstances it did well.
I think all you can do is continue to take care of it as before and hope it recovers.

When was the last time you repotted it ?

Just before I left two years ago!

I'd really like to chop the stray branches down, should I wait until the growing season? I haven't cut them before winter before.