Imported trees coming to the US

[Eric Group]

$20,000 is very cheap when you're talking about bonsai at the highest level. For instance, this shohin size pot is valued at $100,000.

We're talking about Brussel...probably the biggest bonsai supplier in the US?

$20,000 is just to get the container over here not the trees.. That is a lot of money. Obviously a high dollar "masterpiece"/Kokufu type tree could command tens/ hundreds of thousands for one tree... The trees Bonsai Smith Posted are gorgeous, super high end trees for America, but not on that level... No idea what was paid to ship them in or to purchase the actual trees... Just saying their mark up has to be healthy or all this time, effort and money is not going to balance out...

I am glad you posted here Carp. Wasn't it you who said it is illegal... "Smuggling" I think was your word... To import Bonsai now? Would that still hold true in this case? Not talking shit BTW, just wondering if you could expand on that for us... In light of the fact they issue certificates from the Fed to allow specifically for the importation and quarantine of these trees, I am assuming it is absolutely legal when done correctly. For sure, many probably skate around these laws and customs to bring trees into the country even today, and that is at it's core perhaps a form of smuggling... But I think we can all agree the way Bonsai Smith is doing it is totally legit, correct?

 

[Kodama16]

It was legal to bring in white pines and azalea. Starting 2016 you can now also do black pine and maples. There in quarantine for two years befor shipping in Japan. After all the cost of shipping and over head is in the numbers they only make 40%. I know. I also own a buisness dealing with live stock. I ship 20-40 boxes of saltwater fish in every week. I do half a mil a year yet I make less than most people with a decent job.
People like me and brussel and Matt don't do this type of stuff to become rich, we do it because we like it.

Any how. It's a great thing to see there hard work bear fruit. I hope there work with trying to open up the laws to more trees continues. Being Brussels is the biggest importer in the US of bonsai, he has the most power to influence there decisions.

As long as I can afford it I shall support them.

 

[A Random User]

They're not priced yet. But, if you want one, pay when you select one, then wait 2 years for when it gets out of quarantine. If it doesn't survive, you get your money back. If it's damaged ( one or two branches die off) I dunno.

I think he's getting another shipment in the next couple weeks.

Would be curious to know how many folks would throw down serious money on a tree to wait 2 years just to see what happens?
and to finally see their tree... I mean are their like Visitation Rights associated with the deal?
You know... where you could go visit your tree in the clink? The Big House?
If so... would one have to wear one of those full suit Quarantine outfits?

Maybe it is just me... but perhaps it would be better to just import them... wait 2 years to see what happens, then put the word out their that they are for sale?
This just seems a little rinky-dink?

 

[Kodama16]

Would be curious to know how many folks would throw down serious money on a tree to wait 2 years just to see what happens?
and to finally see their tree... I mean are their like Visitation Rights associated with the deal?
You know... where you could go visit your tree in the clink? The Big House?
If so... would one have to wear one of those full suit Quarantine outfits?

Maybe it is just me... but perhaps it would be better to just import them... wait 2 years to see what happens, then put the word out their that they are for sale?
This just seems a little rinky-dink?

They already went through quarantine on Japan's side for two years. Now they only need 30-60 days in the US then the government checks and gives them the clear. These trees will be for sale before the open house brussel is having.

 

[Adair M]

They already went through quarantine on Japan's side for two years. Now they only need 30-60 days in the US then the government checks and gives them the clear. These trees will be for sale before the open house brussel is having.

I'm not sure they've already been quarantined in Japan. I was under the impression you buy now, then wait two years...

Yes, Stacey, it is possible to "visit" the trees. Brussel's will let you in to see them.

They've just opened up the restrictions a bit to now allow JBP and maples to be legally imported. It's a trial. If it works out well, they may issue more permits to other importers.

Will they begin to allow more species in the future? Who knows?

 

[carp]

$20,000 is just to get the container over here not the trees.. That is a lot of money. Obviously a high dollar "masterpiece"/Kokufu type tree could command tens/ hundreds of thousands for one tree... The trees Bonsai Smith Posted are gorgeous, super high end trees for America, but not on that level... No idea what was paid to ship them in or to purchase the actual trees... Just saying their mark up has to be healthy or all this time, effort and money is not going to balance out...

I am glad you posted here Carp. Wasn't it you who said it is illegal... "Smuggling" I think was your word... To import Bonsai now? Would that still hold true in this case? Not talking shit BTW, just wondering if you could expand on that for us... In light of the fact they issue certificates from the Fed to allow specifically for the importation and quarantine of these trees, I am assuming it is absolutely legal when done correctly. For sure, many probably skate around these laws and customs to bring trees into the country even today, and that is at it's core perhaps a form of smuggling... But I think we can all agree the way Bonsai Smith is doing it is totally legit, correct?

What *Brussel* is doing, is totally legal. I posted all the Fed. Ag. laws when I was talking about smuggling. Go read them.

Smuggling is not importing. No quarentines. No inspections. Just a plant, in a box, sent to your house from a source outside of the US; that is smuggling.

 

[carp]

If you read the USDA webpage, you need 2yrs on both sides, in greenhouses built to specific standards.

 

[Rid]

Would be curious to know how many folks would throw down serious money on a tree to wait 2 years just to see what happens?
and to finally see their tree... I mean are their like Visitation Rights associated with the deal?
You know... where you could go visit your tree in the clink? The Big House?
If so... would one have to wear one of those full suit Quarantine outfits?

Maybe it is just me... but perhaps it would be better to just import them... wait 2 years to see what happens, then put the word out their that they are for sale?
This just seems a little rinky-dink?

My neighbor put money down (20% maybe) on a suv tesla. He didn/t know what it was going to look like, or when he was going to get it. That was a few years ago and he's still waiting.

 

[M. Frary]

My neighbor put money down (20% maybe) on a suv tesla. He didn/t know what it was going to look like, or when he was going to get it. That was a few years ago and he's still waiting.

Maybe it's still in quarantine.

 

[Kodama16]

I'm not sure they've already been quarantined in Japan. I was under the impression you buy now, then wait two years...

Yes, Stacey, it is possible to "visit" the trees. Brussel's will let you in to see them.

They've just opened up the restrictions a bit to now allow JBP and maples to be legally imported. It's a trial. If it works out well, they may issue more permits to other importers.

Will they begin to allow more species in the future? Who knows?

It's either 2 years there or 2 years here not both.

There are quarantine house that keep stock being quarentine for years at all times to ship all over the world in Japan. Honestly though the trees that arrive here often don't go through quarentine. They don't keep photo records so the cheap ass tree that sitting quarentine is not the one sent most time. When the tag gets the ok they just slap it on a higher end tree and send it.

Honestly the worst part about shipping trees is all the paper work.

 

[Nybonsai12]

The folks that are willing to put money down on a tree are not financially strapped or worried about money being tied up to wait and see if it comes to fruition and they actually receive the tree. They are comfortable reserving their spot and having a shot at an imported Japanese tree that is otherwise not available to them here in the US.

 

[Dav4]

The folks that are willing to put money down on a tree are not financially strapped or worried about money being tied up to wait and see if it comes to fruition and they actually receive the tree. They are comfortable reserving their spot and having a shot at an imported Japanese tree that is otherwise not available to them here in the US.

I'd do it if I had that kind of change laying around...there's a few maples and pines in that lot I could make room for, I think.

 

[A Random User]

People can do what ever it is they want to do with their money...
Its just that most importers I know shelve their products until clear and safe, they don't hand you an IOU
with a possibility of waiting only to be disappointed if the IOU, in this case dies.

Not, not supporting here... just think the process is silly, but to each their own. Sometimes folks get a hard on and loose track of reality.

 

[JudyB]

People can do what ever it is they want to do with their money...
Its just that most importers I know shelve their products until clear and safe, they don't hand you an IOU
with a possibility of waiting only to be disappointed if the IOU, in this case dies.

Not, not supporting here... just think the process is silly, but to each their own. Sometimes folks get a hard on and loose track of reality.

No lack of reality actually. Just cash flow probably. They are allowing you to basically reserve a tree that you want and can't get any other way. And they are getting money to recoup the outlay in the meantime. If the tree dies, you get your money back. I think it's an opportunity that many will stand in line for. How many people get themselves on waiting lists (and shell out deposits...) to get other things they want these days? Pretty sure there will be no lack of buyers for these trees.

 

[A Random User]

It's either 2 years there or 2 years here not both.

There are quarantine house that keep stock being quarentine for years at all times to ship all over the world in Japan. Honestly though the trees that arrive here often don't go through quarentine. They don't keep photo records so the cheap ass tree that sitting quarentine is not the one sent most time. When the tag gets the ok they just slap it on a higher end tree and send it.

Honestly the worst part about shipping trees is all the paper work.

I would think the worst part of shipping trees would of been that you just barerooted a tree for weeks if not longer, and crammed it into a sunless container?

 

[Kodama16]

I would think the worst part of shipping trees would of been that you just barerooted a tree for weeks if not longer, and crammed it into a sunless container?

There only bare rooted for 4-5 days. And wrap to stay moist. Not saying this is good. But I ment in the process of getting trees shipped the paper work is a huge huge pain.

 

[A Random User]

No lack of reality actually. Just cash flow probably. They are allowing you to basically reserve a tree that you want and can't get any other way. And they are getting money to recoup the outlay in the meantime. If the tree dies, you get your money back. I think it's an opportunity that many will stand in line for. How many people get themselves on waiting lists (and shell out deposits...) to get other things they want these days? Pretty sure there will be no lack of buyers for these trees.

Yeah, I understand what it happening and get the fact that they can begin to recoup expenses invested in the trees...
I also read the part about if it dies you get your money back...
We will see how many stand in line... and I don't know of pretty much anyone who puts their name on a waiting list, unless they are at the doctors. Most folks I know just wait for the product to come out. I guess they feel they don't really need it that bad.

 

[A Random User]

There only bare rooted for 4-5 days. And wrap to stay moist. Not saying this is good. But I ment in the process of getting trees shipped the paper work is a huge huge pain.

How so? Takes more than 4 or 5 days to get them here if shipped in a container on a boat... Unless you flight them. I do understand the paperwork issue!

 

[Kodama16]

How so? Takes more than 4 or 5 days to get them here if shipped in a container on a boat... Unless you flight them. I do understand the paperwork issue!

There flown now days. Just like my aquarium fish. I get from all over the world. There flown to me or they never make it. I get boxes from Japan, China, Indonesia and others all the time over night.

 

[A Random User]

There flown now days. Just like my aquarium fish. I get from all over the world. There flown to me or they never make it. I get boxes from Japan, China, Indonesia and others all the time over night.

I understand that perhaps smaller amounts of trees might be... but I know that most of the people importing usually have gigantic crates shipped. Which seems to be the case here according to Facebook... those were very large crates sitting on the back of the truck I saw.