Buying trees from pictures........

greerhw

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I know most of you would not buy a tree from a picture. I was I could say that to, but where I live there are no nurseries within driving distance. It's necessary that I buy from pictures. I have developed a realionship with the people I deal with and consider them my friends. Don Blackmond is one of my main sources of quality trees, he never fails to have something I'm interested in. He sends me several high resolution pictures from every angle, I've never had to send a tree back to him because I didn't like it, but he would let me if I didn't. I would love to visit some nurseries and see a lot of nice trees at once, but that would be dangerous since I'm an impluse buyer when dazzled by too much beauty at once. I envy you guys on the west coast that can spend a Saturday visiting nurseries if you want, what a great way to spend a Saturday (except football season of course). Just to let you know, I've never had buyers remorse from any of the trees I've bought from my sources.

keep it green,
Harry
 

mcpesq817

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I'll second the Don Blackmond recommendation. I've bought three trees from him over the last couple of years, and have always come away very happy. Nice guy, answers questions, and ships healthy trees quickly and safely.
 

Attila Soos

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Who exactly is Don Blackmond? Is he a middleman between artisans and buyers, or is he a bonsai artist creating his own trees?
 

Attila Soos

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Both, but most of all he's a straight shooter with a very good eye for bonsai, almost as good as I do.......:)
keep it green,
Harry

http://www.gregorybeachbonsai.com/

Harry,
You must be a happy man, you have your football, your bonsai, koi, grandkids, even your personal master(Marco). Don't envy the West Coast, it's a package deal: the great bonsai comes with the fires, earthquakes, and traffic jams. You want the first one, you need to put up with the other three, plus a few muggings.

One more thing you need: don't forget about your 1-2 mile walk every day, so you can enjoy these things forever :)
 
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greerhw

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Thanks Attila, I also have a great wife, good health (the most important thing). No one mugs an old man that's packing...:D

We all have weather conditions we have to deal with, here hail, tornados, wind and heat, but there's no place like home ( Dorthy)

keep it green,
Harry
 

yenling83

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Harry can you recommend buying from anyone else from pictures alone?
 

greerhw

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Harry can you recommend buying from anyone else from pictures alone?

Almost all of my trees are from Pictures. Paul Piptone(deceased), Jim Gremel, Don Blackmond, Sean kelly(out of business)Jason Gamby (Oregon Bonsai), Todd Schlafer (Colorado Bonsai), Andy Smith ( Golden Arrow Bonsai), John Kirby (hoarder), Boon to name a few.

keep it green,
Harry
 
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TimZ8

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I'm in the same boat as Harry. I buy most of my trees online by picture only. I have never bought a tree I didn't like once I recieved it. I just bought a nishiki from Mark at The Growing Grounds with only one picture from the front. If you buy from someone who knows bonsai you can pretty much take thier word that its a nice tree.

Tim
 
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Just Duane

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I also bought trees from pictures & at the time of my purchase, knew nothing about Don Blackmond or Sean Kelly. I called them both on the phone & after talking to them, I felt really comfortable in knowing exactly what I was getting & also knowing it would arrive safe & sound. I'm not going to sit here & tell you that I didn't sweat bullets until my trees arrived :)(my trees had a longer flight) But I will tell you NOW, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase trees from either Don or Sean.
Don Blackmond & Sean Kelly, thanks again for your patience & excellent service. I look fowrard to doing more business with you both. (Sean, you need to get back dude!)
 
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