rockm

" just dont know how you can tell somebody to basically toss away this tree by looking at a birds-eye view of the foliage and a worms-eye view of the roots. YOU never saw the trunk or the branch structure...it has to be there...this tree is 3 feet wide!"

Width of the foliage spread doesn't make a potential bonsai worthwhile--a substantial trunk does. BIG doesn't necessarily make it good. Those are mistaken assumptions that you have to get by to see potential, or no potential in stock.

It's a sign that you CAN'T see any definable trunk in a relatively big plant that makes it suspect as bonsai material. Excellent or even mediocre bonsai stock HAS A TRUNK that is defined and visible from quite a ways off.

As for branch structure, that's kind of beside the point, or at least it should be. That's all there is to this tree and the branches aren't all that special either.

You may not like my opinion, but opinions were requested. Photos were posted. I responded. If everyone were to take the path of "don't comment on anything you can't see intricate detail, " then this forum would be kinda useless.

By the way, all of the single-trunked trees that were posted seem to look like good starter stock, or good for small individual trees.