[Big Pics] How to know if a Bonsai is Worth the Money

hesreal2me

Although I just signed up to this forum today, I have been reading you guys threads for a while now. I got into bonsai trees 3 years ago but quickly got out due to personal issues. Now that I am back into it, I have a dwarf Jade and Boxwood. Both are only around 5 years old.

I am currenty looking to get a more mature bonsai and this is where I need major help. I have 500.00 to spend on a bonsai. How can you tell when a bonsai is really worth the money?

For instance, I am looking at a bucida spinosa at a nursery close by that is 15 years of age and is 18 inches in height.



As you can see it needs work but I don't know if it is worth the money. Then I ran across another one for the same price. It is 25 years old and 17 inches tall. This is what it looks like. So why are they the same price and how do you know which one is the better value. The problem I am having is not just with these trees but plenty of others as well.



So can anyone shine light on how to know when a bonsai is worth the money. Or is bonsai tree one of those things that is valued based upon the owner opinion of how much it is worth?

Thanks guys and gals. By the way, this is an AWESOME forum!

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constantstaticx

[quote]So can anyone shine light on how to know when a bonsai is worth the money. Or is bonsai tree one of those things that is valued based upon the owner opinion of how much it is worth?[quote/]
I agree that the worth depends on the interests of the buyer. I also believe that neither of those trees are worth $500. When you spend that kind of money on a tree, most of what you are paying for is the time and effort it took to develope a thick trunk and good nebari. These trees have neither of these. IMHO I wouldn't spend $10 on either of these because of the fact that the trunks are thin and the base sucks, for lack of better words. Try www.gregorybeachbonsai.com or www.sonlightnursery.com There you will find plenty of trees that I would spend $500 on.

Tom

Ang3lFir3

there are a couple of basics that many people like to use as a guideline. they are certainly NOT hard and fast rules... and I am NOT advocating any of them.... but i will share them so maybe you will get some help deciding

1) many people often believe that unfinished material is worth approx $100 per CALIPER inch (this means DIAMETER not circumfrence)

2) many also like to say that a finished tree (no tree is truly finished but one that has acheived a mature form) is worth much more... you have to weigh the caliber of th work ... the species of the tree and the CALIPER of the trunk.... you might find that $200 per caliper inch is not unreasonable for a large finished JBP where as $125 per caliper is more reasonable for a fast growing species like Acer Palm....

3) you must also include any significance the tree may have in the world of Bonsai.... things like the artist who styled it... and when.... as well as the species and potenitally who propogated or collected the specimen can be factors that add value to a tree. A tree's history is as important as its present and future and has value.... don't look past such things..

4) height is often not an issue... we can grow tops... its the trunks that take so much time



hope some of that helps you see things a little more clearly....

Vance Wood

There are two issues here: One, are you sure you can justify the cost with your ability to keep the tree alive and continue its training? Two is often used as a joke but it is valid in the realm of bonsai where putting something in a pot often adds a hundred bucks to the price of an otherwise second rate tree, it goes like this; if you have to ask then you probably can't afford it.

I am not trying to discourage you but to make you look at this issue through real eyes and not those of enthusiasm which is akin to picking the wrong mate for the wrong reasons. It is unfortunate that a reality check is sometimes met with resistance but its your money and you can spend it anyway you want; choose wisely. Are you familiar with the species you are looking at? Do you know how to care for it and how to make it respond to your will? Do you know it quirks and weak points? These are all thing that you need to think about.

Trees in pots are growing in what can be described as an unnatural environment and need special attention to keep them healthy and developing according to your vision for the future. Some are more difficult than others.

__________________
The only finished bonsai is a dead one; me 1992 MABA Des Moines Iowa

Ralph

I don't know what part of Florida you are in, but they have some really great clubs and some very excellent bonsai people down there. If you get hooked in with these clubs, you are going to get to know all the best local growers and sellers, that you would never find otherwise. By the time you get to know these people and what they have to offer, you probably will have a better idea of what you want and what you are willing to pay for it.

__________________
Emerging from winter slumber
Bonsai trees burst buds anew
Spring is upon us!


-Paul S.

hesreal2me

Thanks for all of the comments. I was thinking about going to the BSF Covention Sunday. Are those usually better places to find great quality bonsai trees.

Cathie

Maybe so, but please read Vance Wood's note again - he's so right about If you have to ask, you probably shouldn't be doing it... There's a lot (of tiny, subtle details) that goes into keeping any tree alive, but the feeling of devastation that comes over you when you realize you've let a big expensive one (for me, even a little cheap one) die through ignorance of watering techniques, impatience, the wrong environment, etc. etc. is just awful, and you really should spare yourself that feeling until you have more knowledge under your belt! Sure those trees are attractive, but that's not a reason to throw such good money at them, or use it on books, club fees, etc.

GavSol

We need to be careful to not confuse the cost of something with it's value.

You may truely be in awe of this bucida spinosa and it may become the pride of your collection. A tree that is worthy of your investment because it may initiate a life long level of dedication and adhere you to a pursuit in the art form of bonsai. In this sense, then this tree is truely valuable.

However, often when things come easily this value is never realised because the years of hard work, gaining of knowledge and appreciation is simply exchanged for money. The value in this sense, is lost.

Some other examples would be buying expensive wine, as opposed to finding some decent wine and cellaring it for a few years; or buying a fully renovated house, instead getting in there and doing it yourself!

The value here is based around the recognition and realisation of potential.

I've only been into Bonsai for a few years also. If I had $500 to spend, I would buy 5 good trees, each of different species, for $100 each. I guarantee you, the value you find in these trees over the years will be worth far more than the financial investment.

Gav

hesreal2me

I will be attending workshops starting in July. I do understand that there are things I will need to know and understand.

I like what GavSol said. It makes a lot of since. As much as I would like one super nice tree in my collection I would probably enjoy adding a few more that need more hands on instead of just one.

I will be doing a little more thinking. In the meantime I will continue reading my books here and watching video of demos until my workshop begins in July.

Thanks guys! Any more advice is welcomed.