I inherited this tree it's supposedly a hundred and fifty years old. Needs to be finished it's now a mature bonsai. It's about two feet wide and three feet tall. Accepting offers over $4000 usd
Chinese juniper
- Thread starter sizzz
- Start date
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Why do you think this would be worth 4K?Looks like a plant that needs a lot of work.
The pot has a plasticky feel to it. Is it ceramic?
Juanmi
Mame
I'm sorry to say this, but it's your first post and you're trying to sell something?
I'm not saying it's not legit, but don't be expecting people to trust someone they don't know posting pictures on the internet
I'm not saying it's not legit, but don't be expecting people to trust someone they don't know posting pictures on the internet
ShimpakuBonsai
Chumono
New member, first post, selling a tree, no location or contact info, not the best first start when you are new on a forum.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Welcome to the site!
Here's what I would recommend. Take this tree to a couple of local bonsai nurseries and ask what they would give you for it. Then come back here and ask what people would be willing to pay for it.
I'm not a hater, but the tree in its current state is not (in my opinion) worth anywhere close to $4K. It has been poorly cared for for decades, and that miscare will take decades to undo. It does have age... but it requires a ton of work, and some of that work is work that only someone with advanced skills could accomplish.
But I am just one person, and you might think me crazy. Take the tree to some bonsai nurseries and ask them what they would pay.
tigerscott79
Mame
bad vibes ...
Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
Would you take $4000 usd?
Sorry. Just had to.
I would start with people in person, ether a nursery or local club - people will be suspicious because it's an older tree and you're new to the community. We had someone come to ones of our meetings with an inherited tree, and the first offer was to help teach how to care for the tree. If you don't want to keep it, m they can help you with that, also.
Good luck,
B
MSU JBoots
Shohin
D
Deleted member 47471
Guest
Overpriced and tree is massively, massively underworked and not resembling bonsai or a finished bonsai. It is unrealistic in appearance, I’m not sure that trying to sell it for $4,000 will go well and this is unlikely the website to try and do that. It will likely not be purchased here nor for the price.
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
Maybe he doesnt want to sell it?
I price my trees 1k above their worth (so 700) so I dont have to sell them.
I price my trees 1k above their worth (so 700) so I dont have to sell them.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
If it's an inherited tree, you may not be familiar with what people look for in higher-end trees or bonsai. Trees handed down to relatives are sometimes overvalued for many reasons. Sometimes trees are overvalued by their original owners. The actual market for them usually brings a reality check for the legacy owner, unfortunately.
This tree has some big issues. The foliage, for instance, is all at the ends of long branching. That's a problem for junipers and conifers in general that haven't been worked adequately over a period of time. Conifers can't be quickly overhauled with heavy pruning like deciduous trees. You can't prune off all the foliage on a conifer's limbs because it will kill the limb. It will take years to either prune to induce foliage closer to the trunk or grafting on new foliage. The foliage should be only inches from the trunk to make the tree more compact in appearance. Grafting new branching on the bare portions is probably the way to go here, instead of trying to induce backbudding by pinching the existing growth. That's a lot of work and will take years to accomplish.
The tree's roots look to be pretty packed into the large container. That's another problem that can take years to correct. Have you looked at the roots by slightly lifting the tree from the pot, or repotted the tree? Understanding what the root mass under the soil looks like is important because it can prevent issues that can compromise the tree's health.
Also, generally a tree in that price range should come with a decent pot. It's not a huge deal, but mica pots are generally used for grow pots for developing material not for high end trees.
All in all, this tree will require quite an overhaul to bring it back to the $4,000 range and I think if it's worked correctly over time, it COULD be in that range, given the substantial trunk and visual
movement in the trunk and nebari.
The competition for pricey higher end bonsai is quite stiff. For that money, a buyer can get a very nice collected tree or even an exhibit quality tree from well-known sellers.
I think the advice to take this to a local bonsai club and get some informed opinions on what can be done is good. You may even find a buyer, but i wouldn't expect to get more than $200 for this as-is. If you have the time to correct the issues (which might take five or more years), it could inch into the +$1,000 range.
This tree has some big issues. The foliage, for instance, is all at the ends of long branching. That's a problem for junipers and conifers in general that haven't been worked adequately over a period of time. Conifers can't be quickly overhauled with heavy pruning like deciduous trees. You can't prune off all the foliage on a conifer's limbs because it will kill the limb. It will take years to either prune to induce foliage closer to the trunk or grafting on new foliage. The foliage should be only inches from the trunk to make the tree more compact in appearance. Grafting new branching on the bare portions is probably the way to go here, instead of trying to induce backbudding by pinching the existing growth. That's a lot of work and will take years to accomplish.
The tree's roots look to be pretty packed into the large container. That's another problem that can take years to correct. Have you looked at the roots by slightly lifting the tree from the pot, or repotted the tree? Understanding what the root mass under the soil looks like is important because it can prevent issues that can compromise the tree's health.
Also, generally a tree in that price range should come with a decent pot. It's not a huge deal, but mica pots are generally used for grow pots for developing material not for high end trees.
All in all, this tree will require quite an overhaul to bring it back to the $4,000 range and I think if it's worked correctly over time, it COULD be in that range, given the substantial trunk and visual
movement in the trunk and nebari.
The competition for pricey higher end bonsai is quite stiff. For that money, a buyer can get a very nice collected tree or even an exhibit quality tree from well-known sellers.
I think the advice to take this to a local bonsai club and get some informed opinions on what can be done is good. You may even find a buyer, but i wouldn't expect to get more than $200 for this as-is. If you have the time to correct the issues (which might take five or more years), it could inch into the +$1,000 range.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Agree.
The value of a bonsai depends greatly on the amount of high-quality work that it has received. At the current state, the value tree is much nearer to a yamadori than a developed bonsai.
