Hi,

I bought a 6 foot tall Emperor 1 japanese maple last year that I planted in the ground in Mai 2017 in zone 5A that I protected with burlap. After a cold winter only the bottom 2 branches leafed out this year. It seamed like the top was going to leaf but stopped while leafing out... I was wondering if I could cut the trunk for a Bonsai ? Because I cant leave it where it is because it looks very bad.

Thank you

I am trying to see the graft on your maple's trunk. Do you know where it is? Did you bury any of the trunk with compost or soil when you planted it? Could you take another photo of the trunk just above the live branches? Take a photo from two directions.