HI FOLKS.

Since my first venture with Japanese Maples am pleased to tell you they've survived all these years! I've given them away to friends as I decided to move away from Puget Sound in Washington. Have decided to live closer to my son in Ft. Collins, Colorado. What this means is am in completely different climate and growing zone. I live in a small apartment with a balcony with a southern exposure. I've signed up for the Online Bonsai Course and trying to decide on the kind of tree I should get to begin the course! Any help you all can give will be appreciated.

Well since you don't have an answer yet I will give you my selection for your Zone (Zone 5b).
From easy to hard:

• Boxwood
• Yew
• Hornbeam
• Shimpaku Juniper
• Spruce

Some of these will like full sun (Juniper) some will be fine in the shade (Yew). Please do your homework so you won't purchase the wrong species.