SierraBonsai

Tom,

Hunt around limestone escarpments and bluffs(with permission),that faces west. This is where excellent eastern red cedar (juniperus virginiana) material can be found.
I usually find nice twisted trunk material with natural jin/shari and very compact tight mature foliage in such areas. Some I have collected and checked were located in 3" of soil, and a mass of feeders roots with one long taproot that is easily severed. Other cedars found in ditches (most are upright) can make excellent forest material. After collection in spring you can cut branches back to 1/2" from trunk and start over. The reason for this, is to retrain encouraging lateral growth, not vertical, which is what juniperus virginiana is known for. Oh, and you can also control winter needle colors of purple, pink and red, depending on the pH of your soil.
Just a few tidbits,I hope this helps Tom
-Ron