Thoughts on removing a branch

[thecarlos808]

Hi I have a pre bonsai japanese maple and I wanted to see what your thoughts were on removing a branch. On this tree the top left branch doesn't seem to fit the movement of the other branches but it's a pretty thick branch. It looks great when leafed out but when it's dormant it looks a little strange and out of place. Thank you.

 

[0soyoung]

My thoughts are that it needs a lot more work than simply removing a branch.

My thought for the start of next season.
Cut those big roots something like I've indicated and any others that prevent you from planting it deepee (so that the top of the substrate is about where I've indicated).



The plan is primarily to build a new apex and find new upper branches while making a descent nabari.

 

[leatherback]

Good suggestion above. I might even consider removing one of the sets of branches at the bottom too.
All this is assuming the tree is in good health now..!

 

[Shibui]

The suggestion from @Osoyoung looks like a good one. It is common to remove many of the branches of Japanese maple close to the trunk and grow new better branches from the buds that will sprout from the base of each branch and from other nodes on the trunk.
There may even be more scope for root enhancement at some stage but definitely get the base of the tree to ground level for a start. I would probably cut the upper root a little shorter and remove the lower one right back near the trunk to get new horizontal roots even closer to the trunk base.