First serious purchase of a pine.....thoughts?

[Fidur]

So I'm on the fence to purchase this pine:



It's not easy where I live to get this kind of trees. It's a 30 years old pinus pentaphylla. I gess it is some variety of JWP.
Anyway the seller (who lives 5 km from my house) has two more he has been caring for the last 15 years. So I'm a bit confident this pine can survive in my climate.
I know price is very subjective and depends on avalibility in my zone. He asked 600$ for it, wich is 10 times more than I have ever paid for a tree, so I feel a bit nervous about this purchase.
I know this pics don't tell too much, but I can tell you it seems healthy, and I like the movement in the trunk. So, what do you think about the tree and its price?....

 

[Scorpius]

Go for it if you can financially do it and you feel pretty confident in keeping it alive and happy. You only live once.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

You’d be hard pressed to find a similar tree at a cheaper price elsewhere. Brussel’s Bonsai (largest nursery in the US) shows similar JWP for around $2000: https://brusselsbonsai.com/japanese-five-needle-pine-st2218fnp-e/

The fact it has survived in your climate this long is encouraging, just know they like to be on the dry side, so be sure to ask the current owner about watering schedule and repotting.

Then the question becomes, do you like it enough to buy it?

 

[rockm]

Nice little tree for the money. White pine isn't the easiest to care for. Care instructions (or even ongoing care assistance) from the owner would be critical to owning it.

 

[Fidur]

Go for it if you can financially do it and you feel pretty confident in keeping it alive and happy. You only live once.

You’d be hard pressed to find a similar tree at a cheaper price elsewhere. Brussel’s Bonsai (largest nursery in the US) shows similar JWP for around $2000: https://brusselsbonsai.com/japanese-five-needle-pine-st2218fnp-e/

The fact it has survived in your climate this long is encouraging, just know they like to be on the dry side, so be sure to ask the current owner about watering schedule and repotting.

Then the question becomes, do you like it enough to buy it?

Nice little tree for the money. White pine isn't the easiest to care for. Care instructions (or even ongoing care assistance) from the owner would be critical to owning it.

Here in Spain, tomorrow is "Dia de Reyes", a day in wich we recive presents from relatives (something like your xmass gifts). I think I will get this one as a self gift.
I really like the tree and I can afford it , but my concerns are about caring for it. These two years I'm into bonsai I have been very sucessful about caring, but anyway if I face any kind of trouble, I know the seller would help me....
Thanks for your insights....I'm pretty excited!

 

[namnhi]

That is a white pine on black pine root stock. I noticed your temp is quite warm. Have you noticed anyone in your bonsai circle able to keep it alive and healthy in your neck of the wood? That is my only concern.

 

[mwar15]

the seller (who lives 5 km from my house) has two more he has been caring for the last 15 years.

 

[rockm]

Here in Spain, tomorrow is "Dia de Reyes", a day in wich we recive presents from relatives (something like your xmass gifts). I think I will get this one as a self gift.
I really like the tree and I can afford it , but my concerns are about caring for it. These two years I'm into bonsai I have been very sucessful about caring, but anyway if I face any kind of trouble, I know the seller would help me....
Thanks for your insights....I'm pretty excited!

TBH, nothing like having sunk almost $1000 into a tree to "inspire" you to learn how to most effectively care for it and quickly. While the death of a $50 tree is tragic, the death of a $600, $1,000 or more tree can be grounds for divorce (don't ask me how I know this).

 

[Apex37]

 

[Potawatomi13]

Always ask for better price and be happier with acquisition.

 

[Frozentreehugger]

Seems a real bonus that the seller . Is very close and has had it a fairly long time . Should be easy to duplicate his care . Cost is a relative thing . If you can afford it . Think about how many things you spend money on that don’t bring you . The joy that tree will . ( taxes come to mind ) . My favourite fishing rod . Was very similar it was expensive and I put it off for a while . But it has increased my joy if something I already . Greatly enjoy . . JWP is very difficult to get here . Sounds like you are the same . If you don’t get it you may regret it for some time .

 

[Eckhoffw]

Like others have pointed out, the fact that the current owner is conveniently close to you, makes all the difference.

Being able to get local care instructions from someone who has successfully cared for it makes this less of a risk, and more of an investment.
Good luck!

 

[vancehanna]

At $600 it is dispute it’s difficulties in trunk transition is a steal.

 

[Fidur]

So, as some of you already know, I finally went for it. The original price was 750$, but I could deal a discount and paid 600$.
Here it is:



To get a better idea of the tree, I got these other images:



And here it is in my garden:



BTW, the seller told me this white label was proof of its japan importation. Do you know its meaning?

 

[Frozentreehugger]

Very nice . No idea about the tag . Do you know what cultivar it is . What’s your long term goal with the tree . There very rare here . I have been looking for some time . I think your somewhat the same boat you said . I would be very tempted to grow a sacrificial branch . And take grafting materiel from the branch to make more . Or attempt to air layer the branch in the future . Get max use out of your investment . But the tree itself has a lot going for it . Movement aged bark tight growth close to trunk . Congrats something you can enjoy for a long time

 

[mwar15]

I like the pot

 

[Fidur]

Very nice . No idea about the tag . Do you know what cultivar it is . What’s your long term goal with the tree . There very rare here . I have been looking for some time . I think your somewhat the same boat you said . I would be very tempted to grow a sacrificial branch . And take grafting materiel from the branch to make more . Or attempt to air layer the branch in the future . Get max use out of your investment . But the tree itself has a lot going for it . Movement aged bark tight growth close to trunk . Congrats something you can enjoy for a long time

Thanks!.
No, I don´t know the cultivar.
For the next months I'm gonna do nothing. I'll wait till I see it's stablished in its new place and healthy. Then I will think about the future.

 

[Paradox]

BTW, the seller told me this white label was proof of its japan importation. Do you know its meaning?

View attachment 468014

The 91 could refer to the year it was grafted or grown?
1991?

 

[misfit11]

Very nice tree. I definitely would have paid $600 for a tree of this quality. Sadly, JWP don't do well here. Congratulations on the nice acquisition.

Cory

 

[JudyB]

Good deal you got with this one. Glad you went for it. And really happy for you that the old owner is willing to coach you!