hmmmmm basic question.

this is all, I feel, good material

very different from the gubbins I'm fiddling about with.

Bobby, its a case of plenty of legwork. Im positive if you get out in your car, bicycle or walking, you will find wasteground, old farmers hedges, quarries and private woods or forrestry commission land. All the above cost me nothing but time.

A wild Privet [ligustrum vulgaris] rabbit grazed, from a quarry.Sorry about the dirty fingernails

Little European spindle, with good movement and shari.

Another Elm with taper and hollow trunk. Should have weeded that one 1

Hornbeam collected from a local wood This was originally coppiced over many years and only has a little live vein. The top section was a dead straight branch but I carved it at a demo, to show how to introduce movement in carving

The back of the tree. Foliage looks bad through lack of rainwater[been a very dry summer in Suffolk] Hope these help you but you've got to do the Donkey.

thanks again chief. Incidentally, you're in Suffolk? You wouldn't be an Ipswich supporter would you?

What is this " Ipswich supporter ". I take it you refer to football? Im afraid decent football hasnt been played in Suffolk for some considerable time. Im ex London and support Chelsea anyway.

was just going to take advantage and point out that newcastle tonked ipswich four nil.

You have some great stuff Will.

very helpful stuff all of this. still in two minds though, about the debate re: precticing on rubbish stuff or spending loot on good stuff. Thing is though, I've not got the means to buy good stuff so the decision is made for me. Like Buddha said, choice is a trap.

Hi Bobby coz this post was getting rather long I have started another specifically about Stumps

Here

Hi Smithy. Kind words indeed but believe me when I say these trees were not posted for self promotion purposes. I am no longer involved in teaching bonsai and my reasons for posting were purely advisory. I live,breath and dream about bonsai and if I can help anyone over hurdles of self doubt, then I will try.
Bobby. Choice is a trap! Go find....Be liberated.