While I’m sipping my coffee this morning I’ve been thinking about a few trees I’d like to add to my collection. I realize I must not fall for one of the biggest mistakes I’ve been guilty of in the past, Bargains! Some times I’ve been guilty of looking at the price of a tree before almost anything. Sure the tree had to catch my eye in the first place but before I would inspect the tree, looking at its merits and faults, seeing where it could be in 3-10 years I would check to see the price… big mistake!

The price a tree is offered at should not be part of your thought process… not until you’ve determined that this tree is truly a possibility. It is easy to ‘forgive’ faults when you see what you feel is a very low price. You can be blinded by price. Poor Nebari or reverse taper don’t look so bad when the tree is half the price of a similar less problematic tree offered at twice the price.

I am not saying that you should ignore the price, just try not to make it a make or break decision before other factors are determined. Of course how long you are willing to work with a tree before it is ready for display will allow you to overlook certain faults. But in the long run, if the tree isn’t good as it appears to you, it will always be behind that tree next to it for a bit more. The tree that is offered at 50 bucks less now as raw material will probably be worth 100’s less in 5 to 10 years.

To the statement “I’m just a newbie, this tree will be fine for me to learn on”. I reply, in 10 years when you are no longer a newbie, will you accept all the faults that this tree has and that you were unable to fix? As for “it is all I can afford”, buy less trees! There are few here that have only one or two trees. Most half at least a dozen or probably like myself over 50. Personally I’m trying to reduce my number of trees and improve my collection.

These are just my thoughts…I’d like others to comment or offer additional thoughts.

Jay

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

And good thoughts they are.
Just wished that more people would follow your sage advise.
Price is the last thing one should worry about when buying stock. The "can I afford it" comes right after the "is it useable for what I want to do" question.
A usless tree will only get more useless with time.

There is some truth in what you say, but it probably depends somewhat on the individual doing the looking, too. In my case, I can't usually afford much at all, so I have to consider the price. If I spend time looking at a tree and decide that it would be a good subject, and only after find out that the price is too high for my means . . . well, it's not a happy feeling. On the other hand, if I look at the price and discover that it's in my range, then I can look at it on its merits as a subject and not feel disappointed if it turns out that it's not a good subject.

But if finding a great price is going to influence your appraisal of the tree, then you're probably right that it's better to do the appraisal before checking the price.

Buy the best you can afford...

Sorry, read my response. Wasn't meant as a criticism, just as a short thought on the way I buy stock...

Well to Quote Ron...a "useless tree will only get more useless with time".

I too have limited funds, and I too get frustrated when I find something that I like that isn't even close to my price range. But the exercise helps. I learn that I need to save up and not buy a tree today or tomorrow or even next month, but perhaps in 6 or 12 months I can afford something that is today out of my price range. I learn what is good stock and what is great stock. I sharpen my eyes and will not acquire 6 to 12 (or more) trees a year like I did when I first started.

Don't get me wrong, I'm probably not going to get it right for a while. I still don't have great vision, but it is getting better.... Time will tell. Oh, by the way... the same thing goes for collecting. When I first went collecting I had to bring home something sometimes a couple. I've realize...finally... that you can go collecting and not find anything really worth bringing home. I try and collect what I see has good potential.

definately an attitude i need to adopt thanks guys

Some interesting thoughts- a question of 'just because you can, doesn't mean you should'. It is disapointing when the price tag is too high but secondly just because a tree is cheap or a knock down (how many threads do you see that start with 'I got this stock cheap-any suggestions?') doesn't mean you should make the transaction- why settle for less? Of course you can buy or collect lesser trees for practice, and pass them on to new enthusiasts when your enthusiasm wanes for them, because the tree was never that good in the first place. Critique is as important as the actual skills required to grow, develop and collect. Luckily, I'm young, so I'm perfectly happy to grow seeds and develop my own over time. I'll begin saving for a nice tree once the student loan repayments are finished..... see you in 10 years.

Regards

Richard

Guess it all boils down to the following:

1. Its there so I got it
2. I screwed up when I bought it
3. I should have known better
4. It is possible to take a tree that is totally unsuitable for bonsai and make a bonsai out of it. Isn't it. Gosh no kidding. Are you sure

or try the following

1. I looked through several trees at more than one nursery and finally found something that will work. Took a while but guess what .....................
2. darned if I knew bonsai could be this easy and make a lot of sense at the same time. Amazing isn't it

Some follow up thoughts....
(1) A friend went to a Bonsai Nursery recently. His trip was to purchase some new material. He did not have unlimited funds. He walked through the greenhouses for hours looking. When he saw something that interested him he checked it out and finally he looked at the price.....every time the price told him to move on. No, this tree was too much for him, it was a fine tree but he did not wish to spend that much for a tree that day. Finally he found a tree he liked and when he checked the price it was within the range he could afford. I commend him for:
A- taking the time to look
B- Not buying something he could not afford
C- Not buying something he could afford just by the price

(2) There are many of us who love Bonsai and who also do not have 'deep pockets'. What to do? I feel that there are a few directions that can be taken:
A- Acquire trees via collection. Remembering that just because it does not cost cash it still must be worthy of collection. A bad tree is a bad tree.
B- Remember that larger trees cost more than smaller trees. Think about developing your collection (purchased or collected) with mame, shohin to mid size trees in mind.
C- Don't forget the future costs. The larger the trees you have the more expensive the pots will be. A large tree may require a pot that will cost hundreds of dollars while a mid sized tree may need only a pot for under a hundred.

Please add more to this list
Jay