I just got back from Ireland; I rented a car and drove around scenic spots around Wicklow etc. What Ireland lacks in bonsai culture they more than make up for with beautiful reference trees. We just don't have old deciduous trees like these in the western US. It was very inspiring to stand under a full grown ancient beech and I hope to capture that feeling in my European bonsai trees.
Interestingly, in the highlands they are replanting clear-cut forests with American trees, especially Oregon's western red cedar, Sitka spruce, and lodgepole pine.
Common Hawthorn:
European beech:
European beech:
Alder grove:
oak:
European beech:
European beech:
European beech:
Scott's pine: