每日吃瓜

I have recently bought a acer palmatum "Dissectum" from craigslist and im kind of lost as to do with it. I am not really familiar with these but i really want to take good care of it.some ends of branches have turned white and i dont know if i should be concerned or if thats normal. they also let some branches grow out pretty far so i'm debating if i should cut down a bit when its trimming season.i have added a picture to show the general state of the tree and one where i've highlighted the white ends of the branches.also the soil it is planted in is really difficult to check if it needs water or not, is that just experience or should repotting it in different soil help with that ?I am based in the netherlands so weather isn't too hot or too cold.I really hope someone can help me get on my way to plan a good journey for this tree

The white parts you mentioned is die-back after pruning, wich is normal for this species.?
Long shoots are there to fatten the branches.
My advice would be, keep it alive for at least one year before start to prune/ cut and look for a bonsai club in your neighborhood

Stick your finger in the soil you will see if it is ready to water, at this time of year, not often, if out if under cover then check every day.. There are several great nurseries in Holland, take a trip to any of them, next time you want to buy don't buy unseen.

Wihtin a few weeks, there is the best exhibition close to the Netherlands, The Trophy in Genk.
One of the better bonsaishops ( an the oldest one) is Lodder 每日吃瓜.