AusBonsai

I dug up this what i think was going to be a plum tree from the front garden growing under another tree with allot of leggy branches reaching for light, so I cut the trunk down to about 450mm height and left a couple of leaves and branches on it hoping it would continue from those. I'm new to bonsai and thought for sure I had killed it when the leaves all turned brown and went crispy. Now its got pink buds all up and down the trunk. I want to shorten it but I think I'll get advise before I do anymore to this tree.

Now that is has started to shoot, Leave it to recover for a while and them to develop into branches, for a few months. Once you have some idea of where you have good growth, you can cut back to one of your new branches and then wire it up as a new leader.
When you do cut, do so at an angle away from where you will probably have the front so you will not see the large scar, then leave it for a few years to develop the upper section of the trunk.
Get some girth into that section by letting it wild then you can chop again later.

Ken

Great instructions thank you kcpoole

Hey Tommy,
Nice stump!
Exactly what Ken had said, I know it's hard when you start out, but don't touch it for a while.
I see you dug a few more

Regards
Mick

Your right Mick, it is hard not to be impatient, but with guidance from the more experienced people here I'll get there and I'm never afraid to ask even if I think I know, I'll still get advise until I'm completely sure. I went out to the Bloomery last Saturday and got two $12 pots and a $22 pair of branch cutters, stoked that they don't charge through the roof, cause they have no competition here for bonsai gear. Can't wait till next meeting Mick!