Check Out Your Local Chapter
Hey Scott,
I'm jumping in a little late, but Mark's (?) advice to seek out your local AAW chapter is the key to your success. You will learn more in a few hours at a meeting than you will probably gather here in a month. Most chapters have live turning demo's at each meeting, and you will learn so many little details that would take far too many words here.
Notice the tools used, and how they are ground. Notice how they are presented to the wood. What works best, and worst. Notice the sounds -- a clean cut has a certain sound, and with a little experience, you'll be able to tell from the back of the room what's going on by the sound. If there is an opportunity to try a hand with supervision, give it a go. If you don't want to try things in front of a group, ask if you can stay for a spell after the meeting, and try it when there's less anxiety involved.
If you work slowly, start small. If you cut a thick slab (2" - 3" thick) out of the middle of a tree trunk that contains the pith running down the middle, you'll have two "half-logs" (a.k.a. billets) for bowls. Then cut a number of square section pieces from your slab on either side of the pith, and throw away the center part with the pith running through it -- that part will certainly crack. These square sections can be cut to any length you like for spindle turning practice between centers.
I'd say get used to how your tools work, practice various cuts, and also sharpening while spinning 6"-8" long 2x2 squares between centers. Get familiar with the lathe, cutting from square to round, and achieving a desired shape with your gouges. You can seal the big chunks for bowl work when you are ready. Ideally, you'd turn a few bowls with a mentor from the turning club. Ask for advice and help, and even ask if any experienced bowl turners would be willing to stop by and give you some advice. In my local club, you'd get a number of offers to help you learn just by asking.
Good luck, and safe spinning,
Brad Vietje
Newbury, VT
BTW: did you figure out what the tree is? Photos?