At every market event I do I get several people that tell me about a tree in their yard and ask if I want it. My standard response is likely but, I don't take trees down and I can't haul off all the limbs and brush. Happy to come look at it and get what I can. They get one free bowl of their choice out of the haul and can buy others if they like. It's worked out well so far. At an event two weeks ago a lady that had asked if I was interested brought me a truck load of Catalpa that she says had been dead in her yard for 25+ years. She convinced her husband to pull the stump out of the ground. She loaded it and other pieces into her truck (by herself) and brought it to me. It looked terrible. Made old pieces of driftwood on the beach look good. Gnarly, covered in dirt and mud, etc. Didn't have heart to tell her no so we moved it to my truck and I hauled it home intending to go straight to the burn pile. Decided to cut it up and see what it was like inside before I threw it on the pile. Well, glad I didn't burn it. First small bowl, 5" across, looks great to me. Wood deep inside is stable and strong, no bug activity and turns well. A lot of work to get through the outside gnarl and dirt and stuff but worth it. I have enough for some larger pieces, hollow forms, etc. Net - at least cut an old log open and see what's inside. It might surprise you.