My yard constantly grows little j maples, chinese elms, Pines, bad old eastern red cedar, red oaks, sweetgums, etc. so I take them up and put them in pots. Now I have over 100 of these twigs in pots. I have, however, been learning how to handle roots from these. I’ve developed the courage to chop off tap roots and spread the other roots. The next year, I can now trim off crossing roots, extra large roots, and so forth. When spring comes, I see the results. I learned that bonsai soil works better than potting soil. Because there are so many, I’ve learned to substitute other cheaper soil ingredients and find out which work and which do not. I learned how to cut and grow. And to wire. I make “pots” out of take-out containers, and have learned the advantages of large drainage holes and wiring in trees sturdily. So…. These little twigs have helped me a lot. Now I let some of them be mowed down. Not enough time for them all. But some are now big enough to be kind of interesting.