Hi everyone
I'm thinking about pruning this major branch on my tree. I think less is more and that it will age better like that.
I wanted to have other opinions on that.
Thanks!

I think you should let the tree grow first, it is very young and has a thin trunk. Allowing the top to grow unchecked will help to thicken the trunk. The wire needs removing.

The first branch is the first one to go. But first let it grow wild to really thicken that base. That is called sacrificial branch. Something to grow right now to improve taper, but not part of the final design.

I kind of like twin trunk maples. That Y may be what makes the othervice straight and boring trunk look interesting in the future. If not, that is next possible sacrificial branch. A decition you need to take some 5-7 years from now.

And some basics about maples you may or may not know:

Never prune maples close to spring. Sap flow is crazy and if not healed properly it will leak a lot of energy.

Maples needs to be grown outdoors or protected at all times, indoor growing will kill it eventually.

Maples thickens faster than you may think in spring and early summer. Putting wire on for the sake of wiring may give it ugly scars that looks ugly for a very long time. Wires that are doing nothing for the tree are better not used. I agree with Geoff. None of your wires makes any sense. They are just strangeling your tree.

Hey David,

Nice little tree you have there.

Is it the Japanese maple variety "Little Princess" by any chance? I happen to be making a video on this variety, and yours looks very much like mine.

I can see you have tried hard to make the wiring sit loose on the branches so there is some space, which is great.
Yes, less is more. Just clipping of the branch however does not tell us where you want to go with the tree. Do you have a final design & size in mind? This will help determine which steps to take now. Note: THe tree as it is, with or without the side-trunk down low, has a pleasing look to it already.

A before and after of my little princess, as example. Note it is planted at a slant, and that I looked for taper in the trunk & branches, as well as movement:

Thank you everyone for the replies.

@leatherback yes it is a "Little Princess". Can I have a link to this video?
As a final design I was thinking of a small sized bonsai not necessary with a big trunk like this one:


That's why I'm already selecting branches and not looking for a bigger trunk

Video should come out APril 12th, if I manage the editing untill then. (Naturally, a sub to my channel would get you a message when I release videos; channel www.youtube.com/@growingBonsai/

I had no idea you were actually Jelle.
I am already one of your subscriber for some time now.

Don't tell anyone