I had a large, weeping cut leaf Maple that I thought had completely died. I cut the top off and left a stump with plans of digging it up but was too busy the last couple years to do it. Much to my surprise, it sprouted side branches like crazy. I wonder now if this could be salvaged as a bonsai. I have to dig the tree up anyway, so what do I have to lose?

What should I do?

It will be spring in the next month or so, and I have been trying to find as much info as I can about salvaging this tree. Thank you very much for your time.
(there are no clubs close to me so this isn't an option).

That trunk seems awfully big. What's the diameter of it, and how soon do you need to dig it out?

Not much to discuss.
When the buds swells dig it up, plant it in a modern substrate and tak care of it. I would cut it as seen on a picture and leave terminal to grow freely to create taper, and wait for some new branches to develop.

Solaris, The trunk is about 3" in diameter. I think it's worth trying to save the tree..

Kristof - thank you for the picture and suggestion.