The Grim Reaper, and Bonsai

vance hanna

Well we've been here before. And I also don't think the viable answer is to give them away or donate.

Why? As Mark points out in most cases (save the National Arboretum in DC) the stuff is going to auctioned off at the next event for what ever it brings. Ok, fine a few bucks in the company till.

I feel (as I bought a nice tree in not great health) it is better to auction them off yourself at the 'estate' sale if the timing is proper. The separate auction for bonsai folks would bring out some collectors. If the collection had any merit and the owner was connected, it might even be better!

Sure, you can give them to your heirs, however in many cases they will not know how to care for them, and the trees will soon perish .

Even if your plant qualifies for a donation of sorts to the NBF, they also retain the right to auction or sell it off if another tree is more desireable. (I know this from fact that at one time long ago they were interested in my J.Virginianna for the American collection) I declined.

Again then, what is the best solution: sell them as best as you can to collectors that will not only want them but in that sense, care for them.

I'll not forget the lady (no name here) who was in our club for quite a stretch, and was at one time president etc., she said at a club show that "bonsai are inherited from father to son" (maybe in Japan/Asia). This is how we obtain bonsai"...what a crock of *&^%$ !!

I nearly choked on that one... Well, she's gone and I'm still here. Hard to believe I'm the only 'living' relic of the Four Seasons club in MI and one of the first members outside of the actual founders.

I guess I'd start packin up my stuff for the 'funeral'...lol!

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Will_Heath

Vance,

Keep in mind that some of the newer members in the club would love to be heirs to your bonsai.


Will

Ian_Homer

Just to add to this debate:

In my folder of "Tree Records" - which has a photo and progress report on each tree - I have a little section at the back called "IN THE EVENT OF MY DEATH".

Although my wife has not read it - she knows about the folders existance and to look at the back when the time comes :-( (Not ready for some time yet !)

Anyway, I update this every year or so with a "Trade value" and "Retail value" of EACH TREE in my entire collection, together with names and telephone numbers of Local enthusiasts and Traders. It also has a note on short-term maintenance. This way, I would expect them to be sold on a "first come" first served basis at a sensible price - with the remaining ones being given away to traders at worst.

This way, I feel I have allowed for the safe passage of the Trees with no fatalities, whilst still giving some financial return for the many £££'s or $$$$'s spent over the years to my estate. (See the other thread on what some people may spend in a single year !!).

I would think some peoples collections (particularly if they have been into Bonsai for over 25 years) have values more than in excess of a couple of decent second hand Cars !! - so well worth the effort in trying to get even 50% of their value.

Any other thoughts ?

Ian.

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Ian_Homer

Of course the only problem then - is our other half finds out how much we have actually spent !!

But then if we have gone to that great garden in the sky - who cares !!!

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rockm

Ian,

Men plan, God Laughs...

I can't help but be skeptical that the first thing your wife is going to do when you die is check the "bonsai folders" for care. Unless she is going to bury you in a shoebox in the backyard she is going to be occupied not only with grief, but with other much more important logistical things after you sjae the mortal coils of this world. Those logistics can eat up a few days rather quickly, in which time your trees will be on their own. The ensuing lull is a killer.

They may get lucky if it's winter or if it's raining, but if it's hot and dry, they're goners for sure. Have you told her to get in touch with local bonsai friends, so they can simply be called and asked to help out? That would be easier than making her sift through alot of bonsai gibberish she may or may not understand.

Additionally, while its nice to note your estimates on the retail and "trade" value of your trees, when the rubber hits the road, they will most likely get left in the dust. If you're really serious about valuation, I would get a third person estimate from an uninterested party and get it in writing. I've seen trees "left" for sale at estate sales that have been tagged with ridiculous, even silly, prices by well-meaning folks who have been told the tree is "almost priceless," but not quite--somehow someone figured $3,000 would cover a mallsai. The next of kin will not hear of lowering the price of the "precious" tree and one really can't ask them to without being kind of a creep. Such trees are invariably left on the auction block and ultimately left to die.

The bottom line of this whole thing is, at least as I see it--"Admire and enjoy your bonsai now. Don't consider it an "heirloom" that can bring in cash at your death. Don't expect to get even half of what you consider "retail." Consider it a burden on your relatives, like any other hobby. Do the best you can to ensure your trees find an owner after you pass, but don't fool yourself into thinking your trees will live much longer than you will. The vast majority don't--I'd wager even spectacular specimens meet this fate more often than people would like to think.

Ian_Homer

Rocm

All good points and I agree entirely - but if I do get struck down by that wayward BMW tomorrow, my wife knows plenty of Bonsai friends who will be soon round to sort out the trees.

As for possible drought in the UK if only Our major problem over the last few years - even in Summer - has been keeping the trees from getting too wet from all the heavy rainfall !!

If I get too fragile and start seeing a decline in Health in my latter years - no doubt I will have disposed of some of my "prized" trees before the Grim reaper arrives.

At the end of the day, you also need to be realistic with any valuations you put on trees, and work on what someone in your local club might pay.

I know one of the Bonsai Associations here in the UK started to set up a register of "Important Trees", so that plans can be made to provide for there future on the passing of the current owner. I'll look it up and post a link - since that is something that could be tried elsewhere.

Best Regards,
Ian

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Vance Wood

Vance? Did we lose George Randal? If so why was I not informed?