FredL

Well, the treatment of the branches depends upon whether you want to make it into an informal upright or into a broom style tree. First, take some time to select a style. No harm is done by letting the branches alone at this time of year because they won't be growing any until Spring anyway.

Doyou have a basic book or access to pictures of mature bonsai?

Are you pretty well able to handle the routine care of this tree? Watering, feedin, that sort of thing? This is potentially a pretty nice tree and you wouldn't want it to die through not being aware of basic care requirements.

Fred