Hi there, just picked up this maple last week and was curious if I could remove the bottom right branch in the photo, or if it would be best to leave it. I'm really not sure what to do with it and I feel like it's not serving any purpose compared to the rest of the tree. Would love to know your thoughts.

Japanese Maple << Full res photo on imgur

I'm also unsure if it's okay to start wiring this some time next month or if I should wait until the fall. (it's almost summer here)

I am new to the bonsai world myself but I would definitely cut that branch back. I don't know if I would remove it completely though. I would cut it back to about 2"-3" inches that way it would back bud. I wouldn't wait too much longer since it is still growth season.

I would not cut it back and let the plant grow a couple of years to develop a trunk, before doing much else to it.

I agree with Auk that branch will help the bottom of the trunk thicken up and create taper , then when you have the desired thickness you can either cut it off or airlAyer it so you have 2 trees . Take your time wait till at least next year to do anything to this tree and in the meantime study all you can about bonsai

First decide the image you have for this plant in the future. Do you want a tree with a fully straight trunk? Or lots of bends? Then you can decide on the route to take.
For now, leave the branch, and use it, as Auk indicated, as a sacrifice branch to thicken the trunk. Let it grow lots.

Awe man, I didn't get a picture. :huh:

It's getting sort of late in the year for chopping, guess it's sort of the iffie time of year, might work if the roots were strong and healthy. For now, just keep it alive, and study bonsai. Maybe get a few guinea pig plants, and see how they like it.

Auk wrote: I would not cut it back and let the plant grow a couple of years to develop a trunk, before doing much else to it.

Isn't he just talking about that one branch though. Would it really slow the growth of the trunk if he prunes that one shoot?

Bonsai Bender wrote:

Auk wrote: I would not cut it back and let the plant grow a couple of years to develop a trunk, before doing much else to it.

Isn't he just talking about that one branch though. Would it really slow the growth of the trunk if he prunes that one shoot?

It's just one small branch - on just one small plant. Relatively speaking, it's a large branch.
It would slow down the trunk getting thicker.

I agree with Auk and leatherback on this.

In my opinion - leave the branch for now, it will help in thickening up the trunk. In addition, when styling, I think you could use that branch - from the root ball to the branch in discussion bend right, from the branch in discussion up bend left (my styling advice is inline with the image perspective). That branch could play a strong role in the style, however as leatherback mentioned that is up to you.

For now, I'd say get the plant into a good potting medium and focus on the growth of the trunk.

Auk wrote: Relatively speaking, it's a large branch.

I see it now. Wow. That makes so much sense.