Help identify juniper/ worth the price?

[Jacob54]

While browsing through my local craigslist I found this old juniper with what looks to have some good potential (to me) however I just have 1 year of experience. Acouple of questions I have are; 500$ is the price does that seem fair?
And what kind of juniper is this?thank you all!

 

[bonsaichile]

It might be a procumbens, but the pic is really bad and I cant see the foliage clearly. It is a nice specimen nonetheless. How talk and thick it is?

 

[Srt8madness]

If that was real deadwood it would definitely be worth 500, but it looks like Tanuki/added dead wood.

 

[bdmatt]

Would probably be helpful mentioning where you're located, since prices of bonsai vary depending on location. Also, it's hard placing a definite value on bonsai because it's an art and art is subjective. My teacher bought a big yaupon holly the other week for 900 and thought it was a steal, whereas I wouldn't have paid more than 100 for it.

Looks like a very old nana procumbens. Most likely a tanuki as Srt8madness mentioned. You can probably negotiate for a lower price since its a tanuki, but I personally wouldn't pick it up for 500.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Sorry...hard pass for me. Unless it looks better in person. The tanuki looks unattached where tree comes from pot.

 

[Jacob54]

I appreciate all the comments. Answered most of my questions. I personally think it looks really cool, but was just curious as to if I’d be overpaying. I’m new to bonsai world and have only purchased 2 very small junipers. Wanted to get something slightly older/ more established.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Well, looks great from the front!
Definitely a tanooki of sorts.
Not great in regards to the technique.
Looks relatively Quickly done, using a nice big piece of deadwood masking the live trunk in opposed to melding with it.

 

[Shogun610]

no do not purchase.. just somone trying to pawn off a straight up run of mill nursery juniper w a piece of deadwood ugh . I wouldn’t even spend a dollar , don’t mean to sound like a snob but we’re here to elevate , not stoop to their quick cash scheme. Those types of sellers are pirañas I’d stay away. I could help you identify up 5 decent pre bonsai material with that 500 dollars somone would spend on that piece of junk .

 

[_#1_]

Hard pass for me too. Unless the pot is worth $400

 

[Jacob54]

Thank you guys!