Originally Posted by rockm

Great stuff. For what it's worth, Walter did what was required to get this tree into shape. He didn't really take it down to nothing. He reduced it to what are it's basic bonsai "bones." This process it typical for first styling of deciduous trees and can be quite shocking for those who haven't ever done it. Decidous trees can take quite a big reduction at styling time and they can be handled a bit more drastically than conifers.

This tree will work out to be a very nice bonsai in a few years, as the branches fill out.