Bonsai Value

[tomd8]

Hello, I’m a new member here and I hope I’m not breaking any rules but I didn’t see any that would prohibit my question. I have 5 trees that I’ve owned for 30+ years. Four were purchased from a very reputable nursery on Long Island in NY, and one, a root over rock trident maple was grown from a cutting of an imported tree. If I recall correctly the white pine was imported from Japan as well. The trees are white pine, green Japanese maple, trident maple, root over rock trident maple and an amur maple. They are all fairly large and I’ve included a tape measure in each photo. I know a tree is only worth what someone is willing to pay but I’m looking to establish a reasonable and fair price. Yes the trees need some work but I’ll leave that to a buyer. Thank you for any feedback you may have.

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

They’re nice trees but I think they’d probably be considered more prebonsai than bonsai. Especially the pine and maple that have pushed themselves out of the pot with root growth. I’m not knowledgeable enough to give a valuation, but the evidence for lack of continuous training would probably move these into price ranges of prebonsai rather than developed bonsai, even if they’re older trees.

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

They’re still quite valuable I bet - just not the same as developed material of the same size.

 

[Wulfskaar]

I've personally seen similar trees listed in the hundreds of dollars and sometimes in the thousands.

I disagree that they should be considered prebonsai.

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

Oh I think the price you’re saying is probably correct - I wouldn’t have put it below hundreds or even potentially thousands for some if they’re a desirable cultivar or something. I was just identifying that they’d probably be considered more trees to work on, than finished designs. Of course - my opinion on that.

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

Oh I think the price you’re saying is probably correct - I wouldn’t have put it below hundreds or even potentially thousands for some if they’re a desirable cultivar or something. I was just identifying that they’d probably be considered more trees to work on, than finished designs. Of course - my opinion on that.

Prebonsai to me doesn’t mean cheap material. Prebonsai to me means a design isn’t yet established.

 

[BobbyLane]

Deciduous trees are often valued on their naked structure. For me they would go into the semi trained category. They can be marketed as bonsai since theyre in pots n stuff and its clear theyve had some type of training, as in just pruned to shape and a bit of wire here there.

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

Deciduous trees are often valued on their naked structure. For me they would go into the semi trained category. They can be marketed as bonsai since theyre in pots n stuff and its clear theyve had some type of training, as in just pruned to shape and a bit of wire here there.

Yeah semi-trained is probably more appropriate.

 

[tomd8]

Thank you all for your feedback. You've given me enough opinions which has helped me establish a price guideline. Since I'm not a fan of shipping something this delicate and size I'd have to take a local pickup into the price consideration. Thank you again.

 

[_#1_]

I've personally seen similar trees listed in the hundreds of dollars and sometimes in the thousands.

List price is NOT sold price though.

 

[Lorax7]

I’d guesstimate they’re somewhere in the $100 to $500 range or so.

 

[tomd8]

Thank you again for the feedback. If memory serves me correctly I paid over $200 for the white pine. Just for kicks I found a few snapshots that I took years ago to chronicle the progress. The left pic is when the tree was purchased. The right was some time later. I suspect the tree is at a minimum 45 years old.

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

Yeah that white pine is nice. It’s just in need of major root work unfortunately I think with it pushing out of the pot that much.

 

[leatherback]

Thank you again for the feedback. If memory serves me correctly I paid over $200 for the white pine. Just for kicks I found a few snapshots that I took years ago to chronicle the progress. The left pic is when the tree was purchased. The right was some time later. I suspect the tree is at a minimum 45 years old.

The pine seems lik a really nice tree as far as one can tell from a picture. It might be worth having someone who knows bonsai well to take a look for a valuation. With that age and possibly no major chops in the last decade+ I would not be surprised this popping into the thousands range. Here it might be worth bringing it to someone to get fully pruned, wired. Effectively, re-styled, which probably would double the value.

Your deciduous trees are seriously lacking in some areas such as nebari and one of them has a big lump from an old chop up high in the canopy. These seriously affects the value of the trees, where I would not hold on to them if you can get a few hundred. It is a sad reality; Age and time in a pot does not determine most of the value.

 

[tomd8]

I've personally seen similar trees listed in the hundreds of dollars and sometimes in the thousands.

I disagree that they should be considered prebonsai.

Thank you.

 

[tomd8]

So around $1500 for the lot give or take. BTW, I must shamefully admit that the roots of the pine aren't pushing out from growth. It was my poor repotting job this past spring. I tried to make sure there was enough soil under the root ball but unfortunately maybe a bit too much. I did remove quite a bit of roots and tried to claw out the center of the ball but it's solid wood. Perhaps a deeper pot may be worth trying. Thank you again.

 

[Paradox]

I have 5 trees that I’ve owned for 30+ years. Four were purchased from a very reputable nursery on Long Island in NY,

I am curious as to which nursery you are referring to? There aren't/havent been many on Long Island.

 

[tomd8]

The nursery was Jiu San Bonsai in Farmingdale across from SUNY Farmingdale college. This is late 80's early 90's. The owner was Phil ?. His sister Ann also worked there. I attended classes there and purchased 4 of these 5 trees. I had purchased many others but over time either sold or lost them.

 

[Paradox]

The nursery was Jiu San Bonsai in Farmingdale across from SUNY Farmingdale college. This is late 80's early 90's. The owner was Phil ?. His sister Ann also worked there. I attended classes there and purchased 4 of these 5 trees. I had purchased many others but over time either sold or lost them.

Interesting. Are they still in business?

 

[tomd8]

I don't know as I've moved further east on LI and haven't been back that way for years. Certainly it would have to have been sold as Phil was probably in his 60's at the time.