Great work Rob and wonderful progression. It is good to see that a tree I started years ago is still alive and looking so beautiful in the hands of a true Artist.
In the closeup pictures I can see some scale.
this can cause some leaf drop as well as causing weakness in the growth.
I remove all of the leaves on my ficus in the summer this makes the bud back all over and produces more and smaller leaves. They can be leaf pruned up to 3 times in a year.
if...
I think flat tops are caused by storms taking the top out and it grows back with many branches at the top.
I saw this on trees where the tops were twisted off from hurricane Hugo and years later many trunks formed at the bare top of the trunk.
I use 9" pruning blades from Lowe's, 3 for about $11.00. You can also find 12" pruning blades at Home Depot.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_27179-70-PC760R_4294707863__?productId=1208287&Ntt=saw+blades
Hey Paul, I really like your Red Maple.
How long have You been growing this one?
What size is it?
Very good job with material that is not the easiest to make a Bonsai with.
Ken