Need some advice on these leggy branches!!

[Bonsaikev1985]

About a week back I collected this tree and posted about it. People who haven't seen the post, I know it's late but had to get it then or it be in the land fill and the character of the trunk was a must have. I know some of ya say go for it and others say Red Maples arent good for bonsai. Well I'm keeping it and in time will slot of effort it will look good.....

We'll see those long branches? They all had foliage at the ends, but had to cut them back because of how much roots I cut back. Needed to balance out. So I'm starting to see a few little buds. My question is should I cut those branches back even shorter so the tree don't have to work so hard to produce buds all the way up those long branches? I feel I should. Maybe to 4-5 inches instead of a foot long like they are. I also feel it would bring everything more together and denser around the trunk, because when I found it those branches were real leggy and all the growth was at the very tips and nothing up the branches. Thanks

 

[sorce]

Best to just let it grow.

I believe in this thing where the roots and the branches have a conversation about what leaves its going to support, and what buds it can safely push.

Seems that conversation happened already.

In spring...
Or in situations like this...

You can act before the conversation rather safely.

This tree is cool enough to go super slow with!
Watch it get healthy!

Sorce

 

[Soldano666]

Being just collected I'd leave it alone and let it recover. Worry about pruning and shaping once you have a pot full of roots.

 

[Bonsaikev1985]

^^ yeah that's my goal with this guy. Was hoping it would take after being collected and if so let it grow untouched this season. Just wasnt sure if maybe cutting it back a little would help it not have to try and use so much energy to bid with little roots it has