Joanie

Unless it's really inexpensive and you're willing to spend time working on a ground layer, then maybe it's not the best one you can get. The roots are best if they spread gently outward from the trunk like a wagon wheel, at least for bonsai that is the case.

However, sometimes we can learn from trees that need major work, rather than learning on more expensive stock. The trunk has character, but it would be better if it either had movement, or was suited for a broom style. (A broom style would have a scarless trunk, generally speaking) It could be a decent forest tree if you could find others exactly like it, but if they aren't from the same parent plant or you can hold them side by side, it may be hard to match the trees together. Seems like there are many subtle differences in Chinese elms, leaf size and color, etc.

Joanie

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