Look like ive got a fair few trees to look into. I'll start my reading now , thanks again for all the help. Thank goodness this website is a thing !

It is not Chinese Elm, probably fukien tea.

Fukien Tea was my first thought - looking again I think the leaves are more privet like. Does it have tiny white flowers - FT will produce these all year round

Dave

I agree with Bob: Carmona.

I agree with ironhorse.

Orlando wrote: I agree with ironhorse.

I agree

www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species/ligustrum

Yes, it does look like a privet to me now. I also think i see sageretia theezans as well. The leaves are too thin to be carmona now look at it.

bob wrote: Yes, it does look like a privet to me now. I also think i see sageretia theezans as well. The leaves are too thin to be carmona now look at it.

So really you are saying: I have no idea?

In any case: My first glance at the first picture resulted in Privet. The close-up confirmed it for me. I am 99% confident it is privet.

By the way: Yes, it is a mass-produced product. It does onto have the characteristics of a good bonsai. However, it is material with which you can get started in the artform. It iwll never make a show-stopping tree. It is however fairly easy to keep alive, grows well and you can practice a lot of techniques for bonsai. IMHO it is a good starterplant. While you keep this alive and get it to thrive, read up a little on Bonsai. you will soon realize why people here won't call this a bonsai, yet you bought (were given?) this as a bonsai.

leatherback wrote: However, it is material with which you can get started in the artform.

I agree with that. There are different types of mallsai, from the ridiculous "wind-swept" juniper cuttings wit a fisherman figurine under them, to trees that are mass-produced, but that have had some sort of bonsai-training. In the last category you can sometimes find decent starter material - and this tree actually does not look too bad - it does look very healthy.

leatherback wrote:

bob wrote: Yes, it does look like a privet to me now. I also think i see sageretia theezans as well. The leaves are too thin to be carmona now look at it.

So really you are saying: I have no idea?

No, i am saying "looks like a privet or sageretia theezans to me now".