AusBonsai

So I want to try a raft style tree. What species do people recommend and how to go about getting started are the questions I have....

i asked the same question some time ago, check out this link viewtopic.php?f=7&t=18999

(never got around to actually making one...)

Some spp are easy others difficult. The younger the material the easier it will put out roots.
Generally, if the plant strikes easily from cuttings, it will layer.
Maples, Junipers, Cotoneaster, Azalea, most prostrate type plants do well. (Swamp paperbarks might be worth a try?)
Pines are difficult and old pines almost impossible.
Remember that the distance between the trunk centre lines will stay constant and they will close in on eath other as they thicken.
Sometimes if you bury the trunk (which you should do) you will get roots coming from the trunks only and not the horizontal stem. This can be good or bad depending on what you want. When this happens I have seen the horizontal part wither away to nothing! (bad)
You can always thread-graft seedlings through the stem.
For a true raft you lay down the stem. For a sinuous you need to bend so the trunks move in two dimentions.
Don't bury a wired trunk! Pre-wire then remove before planting.