Some years ago, I think 2010, I planted a sacrificial branch, I cut off from one of my maples.
I kept one branch on the lower site of the tree and let the top grow for 5 years, then I chopped it off.

Two years later, I changed the angle off the main branch and removed the odd stump on the left.

This is how it looks in spring 2020

and during defoliation in june
So, any comments, I know it's young, and NO I dont put it in the ground for x years to get a fat trunk

i would put it in the grou....

no , its a nice looking tree with good movement.
Been looking at it a bit and played around in photoshop.I think it would possibly benefit from a different planting angle ( see picture) . I also find it a bit top heavy, those lower branches could use some unrestricted growth for a while.
Just my thoughts, without seeing the tree in real life.

lucR wrote: a different planting angle ( see picture)

Yes, I guess it is more interesting with this tilt, changes the apex and gives an impression of more movement.
Nice little maple!

Next spring season I will repott the tree, gfor now, I just let it grow

Nice little tree, looks healthy.

Keep an eye on the branches. It seems like the bottom branch cannot keep up with the top and over time you will end up with heavy branches in the top, and light at the bottom.

I was to late back from China to remove all the leaves in the top section , I gonna try to let the bottom 2 branches grown and keep pinching / cut the top section.
I do not want to carry out any drastic pruning at the moment.

Just repotted my maple and followed the advise to change the angle a little.
I'm happy with the result, I'm happy with the rootball, now we're waiting.

That's looking good Frank!

When you took the cutting originally about what size was it? Say half the size it is now or 1/4? Also how long did it take to root and then how long until it reach the size it is now?

I ask because I have many Japanese maples in my yard I could take cuttings from. And I would like to take some cuttings from the different types of Japanese maple in my yard.

Lucky I have a really nice selection of regular size plants and trees that would make good bonsai(well at least in the right hands). I also have satsuki azaleas, hinoki cypress, juniper procumbens and as I said at least 3 different Japanese maples. One they call a waterfall maple at the stores and off the top of my head I can't remember the names of the other two but the other two have the broader more "cannabis" looking leaves. But one has red younger branches the other has more typical brown or green branches. So I asked those questions because I really want to try to get cuttings rooted from each of them but don't know if I can start with a larger cutting or if they have to be tiny when u take them.

Good morning Akiyama,
the cutting I took was about 4 mm in diameter. Not to large.
I really don't know how long it takes to root, I don't tough it for 2 years.
I do use root hormone.
The tree is about 10 years old and is always kept in a tray or pot wich makes the process slower.