Best beginning decidious native tree to start with

[Orion_metalhead]

Would probably need winter protection in your zone. It is used as ornamental in southern states so might not be easy to find in a nursery by you.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Sourwood is 5a minimum and found mainly south of southern Ohio, SW Penn, and southern Indiana. It would require special efforts in your zone such as wintering it in an unheated garage kept just above freezing.

 

[NateMcFly3]

I live in st paul mn zone 4

Also recommend joining the local club, very active and helpful: https://minnesotabonsaisociety.org/
They just held their club show at the Fair this weekend with Jonas Dupuich as the guest judge.

Check out posts here on Bnut by locals like @Eckhoffw

On YouTube, at least one local resource: https://youtube.com/@davesbonsai

 

[Javaman4373]

Around here it would be hard to beat Acer rubrum. I found one in the woods that I chopped to start training it for bonsai while in the ground. Will get a photo later.
Also note, you get red buds on red maples in the spring.