What's a good tree choice for forest plantings

I would like to try a forest planting, but am unsure what would be the best trees to use. Remember, I'm new to bonsai, I'm in zone 7-8, I need something fairly resistant to my mistakes. I don't want a bunch of lollipops in a pot, I would like to use something that has some movement to the trunks and branches, maybe 12" - 16" range. I'd like to try a group of around 7 down to maybe 5. I don't think I'll have a big problem getting suggestions from this group. I really appreciate the help. I will probably go with a pot, I'm not too sure about using a slab and "muck" yet.

Needed to add: I'd like to use "deciduous" tree for an outdoor planting. And they don't have to be native trees.

Thanks,

There are many directions you can go. Do you prefer something outdoors or tropical for indoors (part of year). Do you prefer deciduous or evergreen? Native trees or ?? Each has its own list and sources. Perhaps a bit more of your interests would assist folks in providing suggestions.

Sorry for the lack of info, I've added it to my original post.

Chinese elm. Actually, the native southern elms are also used.
Trident maple
Korean hornbeam
Japanese maple, but cutting grown rather than seedlings, for uniformity
Boxwood

Be sure to visit the North Carolina Arboretum. It is a wonderful collection and they have many inspiring forest plantings. Ask Arthur Joura for suggestions. There are many selections of ceramic trays for forest plantings, including those that look like hills, islands, or slabs. Look on the Web.
Iris

I'll second Iris's Trident Maple recommendation. I have a 30 tree forest that I put together last year and as all the members of the group were grown from seed they all change Fall colors differently and at different times.... Its a cool effect.

-Jay

Thanks Iris and Jay,
A 30 tree forest...... , that's got to cover some real estate!
Got any pics?

The usual number for us commoners is five, seven, or nine, in a fourteen to 18 inch tray. (35.5 to 50 cm) 
Iris

That's what I thought Iris, but 30 trees in a single planting?!? I want to see pictures of that!

There is another great, but not utilized as often, option that is probably right in your backyard or just down the road. And that is using the Bald Cypress (Taxidonium distichum). They make some great bonsai forest. You can probably google to find some pics. I have 7 young trees that I am growing to also make a forest.

tbarkley wrote:That's what I thought Iris, but 30 trees in a single planting?!? I want to see pictures of that!

What I did was use seedlings and some larger saplings to create the image of a very dense thicket or Maple "stand" the likes of which are common around here, where you get a bunch of maples growing close together and they stay thin and grow tight to each other. I'll see If I can get a pic of it up for you, its looking a bit beleaguered now as its the end of the season but the fall colors are always a treat on it.

-Jay

Doug,
I know I don,t have any in my yard (front or back) so I'll look down the road. Thanks for the tip.
I've got 7 huge Pecans, 2 huge Magnolias, and a big Pine in my yard. I get dropping limbs, leaves, pods, and pine cones all the time.

drgonzo wrote:

tbarkley wrote:That's what I thought Iris, but 30 trees in a single planting?!? I want to see pictures of that!

What I did was use seedlings and some larger saplings to create the image of a very dense thicket or Maple "stand" the likes of which are common around here, where you get a bunch of maples growing close together and they stay thin and grow tight to each other. I'll see If I can get a pic of it up for you, its looking a bit beleaguered now as its the end of the season but the fall colors are always a treat on it.

-Jay

I'd like to see a photo too...don't worry about how the leaves look, it's that time of year...