Hi Fuzzy - I have an ever increasing stockpile of local natural wood, Beech, Oak, Cherry, Ash, Apple and Laburnum as I am an avid woodburner and source most of the fuel for free (my heating costs are ridiculously low) - I have selected quite a few choice pieces but being new and impatient my local carpenter friend piles offcuts from jobs that would otherwise be put onto their bonfire and kindly lets me have them. This, I feel, gives me nice seasoned hardwood to practice on and actually makes some nice pieces that are appreciated by the people I give them to. I am now in the process of storing the good bits from my logpile and letting time and nature take its course, having cut and sealed them. I have learned very quickly that if you are to be a self sufficient turner you need patience in bucket loads! I am now a bit of a standing joke with my friends as every time I go to their houses I always raid their logstores! Even the local boozers isn't safe