Thanks All,
Since I am new to the art form and have a lot to learn and I appreciate everyone's reply.
I became interested in bonsai at the 2008 Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Gardens after talking to members of the Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis and buying our first tree from Cass Bonsai a 30 year old Buxus microphylla 'Compacta' collected from a Washington DC garden at the festival. It was a gift for my 16 year old son who really had the initial interest. I have concentrated my own collection on Shohin Bonsai and we both took several work shops with Tigra Urusibata at the 2009 Shohin St. Louis convention held by our club. A Pinus thunbergii Shohin cascade I bought from Don Blackmond at Gregory Beach Bonsai and displayed at the show took Second Place when Tigra judged the trees. Over the last year we've learned a great deal. We both had displays at the 2009 Japanese Festival last weekend at the Gardens.
John R., I remember reading an article by you on Sumo Shohin and was so fascinated I hunted for material to begin development of a tree in this style. I finally settled on a Malus "Prairiefire". It has a circumference of 13-1/2 inches at the soil line and stands 7" tall at the top foliage. I would be interested in seeing some photos of some other trees of this style if you have any and could post them in the Shohin section. I think I remember the article having a Korean Hornbeam as the photo but you mentioned a few other examples.
Once again Thanks to All,
JRob