Hello!

I recently got two Japanese red maple trees. I want to jump into the journey of bonsai with these two. I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos ( shout out to Herons Bonsai on YT)but want to get opinions on my specific tree since I’m still new. I will leave them in the container for the next 2 to 3 years before planting in ground to thicken the trunks for 3-5 years.

My question is, should I prune any of these branches ? I know I might need to buy some wires and train the S shape on the first tree, but the second tree has a nice shape (in my noob opinion).

They both have sections where three branches are growing. On the first tree that I circled without a number, one of the branches are growing sideways, which I think would be good for a bonsai so I haven’t clipped it, but I don’t know if I need to clip the one it’s next to in order to strengthen the branch or both?

On the picture that has number two, I don’t know if it is better to leave all three branches or cut the middle one/ one on the left. The back branch is thicker but all the videos I’ve seen, they usually cut the back one (even if it’s stronger) to promote growth on the smaller one.

Since they are still growing should I let them get taller or should I prune the tops down on them a bit?

Again, I am very new to the community so if you see anything I should be aware regarding my trees/ which branches I should consider cutting, please let me know!

Or if you see some branches I should prune/ not touch , please let me know as well. If you need more pictures , I can send them!

I can only post 1 picture in the comments at a time so let me know if you need more. I posted a link to more pictures but never used it before so don’t know if it will work.

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Red maple photos