Starting a bonsai tree

[FatArse123]

Morning all. I'd really like to turn an Acer I currently have in a pot, into a bonsai tree. I have the pruning kit, pot, lava etc. but I've not got a clue how to proceed. I can't seem to find any clear instructions on this on Google! The trunk at the moment is about half an inch thick. Can anyone point me to a useful website on this subject?

(advice based on personal experience also welcome of course!)

Don't do it at this time of year - you will kill it stone dead in no time flat!!!

You need to wait until spring now. Best website I can immediately think of is bonsai4me.com

Thanks @yamadori ! for some reason I thought I needed to hack at it in Autumn, so I'm glad I posted here. I've not been on bonsai4me.com before.

Japanese maples are deciduous trees, and at this time of year they are in the process of shutting down and going to sleep for a few months. If you cut back the branches hard now, they have a habit of dying back so you could lose branches you want to keep. If you prune the roots, the tree doesn't have leaves to produce the energy it needs to grow new roots, and the existing cut ones often rot in the winter.

A few questions for you @FatArse123

Whereabouts in the country are you, how big is it, how long have you had it, do you know the variety and is it grafted? Also can you post a photo?

Depending on how big it is, it may well take several years of pruning and training both the branches and roots before it is ready to go into a bonsai pot. Reduce a bit at a time and it is less of a shock to the system, and you will end up with a happy tree. Too much too soon and you will end up with firewood!