drew33998
Masterpiece
found a pretty nice japanese maple at a small nursery near my new office. Just wanting everyone to weigh in on their thoughts of spending $59 for this one. Base is nice but I would have to chop it way back. 
Is the work worth the $59 price?
- Thread starter drew33998
- Start date
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Id do it.
All day.
Twice on Sunday!
Sorce
All day.
Twice on Sunday!
Sorce
Lazylightningny
Masterpiece
Is that a graft scar at the base?
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
The biggest question...can you? Photos are of us looking down on the tree...and the base of the tree. Are you considering a chop? If so at what point on the tree? What is your final vision for this tree as a bonsai? Those also should apply to the factor of purchase.
I prefer movement in a trunk...but the next guy doesn't need it. Looks to have taper...but will that taper show at the place you plan on chopping it back to? Or...do you plan on just working with what it is without a chop? Many questions need answered...how tall is it currently if your planning to work with what it is instead of chopping?
If it speaks to you...then do it!
I prefer movement in a trunk...but the next guy doesn't need it. Looks to have taper...but will that taper show at the place you plan on chopping it back to? Or...do you plan on just working with what it is without a chop? Many questions need answered...how tall is it currently if your planning to work with what it is instead of chopping?
If it speaks to you...then do it!
music~maker
Shohin
Totally worth it, even if just to experiment on. That's super-cheap for an acer with a trunk that thick. The air layer of that upper branch would probably be worth $59 near me.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
We need to nickname you the enabler...lol
eferguson1974
Chumono
do it
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
I honestly know little on maples...I'm more on character bones of a tree. I did recently buy an Amur maple for its trunkline. It's only a shohin though...nothing as beefy as yours. It's all in the desired finished look your seeking for your bench. Maples have lovely foliage...But the bones if they speak to you...then do it!
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
j evans
Omono
JM around here for sale seldom have that kind of size in the base. If they do they are REAL expensive. I think that I'd take it or offer them a bit less but you are in the land of the never ending growing season. Right now in our area there are not any trees to be found.
Saizan
Yamadori
I'd pay it just only seeing the second picture 
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Like 59dollars a twig.
With a shitty graft.
Till they are almost dead.
Then they're 25 dollars.
No No no.
Sorce
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
Yes absolutely worth it just for the base alone.
drew33998
Masterpiece
That's what I was thinking. Only issue I have is I tried chopping a red Japanese maple of unknown variety during bud swell this year and it ended up dying on me. Would hate to lose out again. Japanese maples aren't the easiest thing to grow in Jax Fl.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
That would be something to consider...if they aren't known well to do well in your location. I've lost a few trees early on...from such a mistake thinking I could. Nothing like staking the deck against yourself in the beginning.
drew33998
Masterpiece
Yes I am trying to make better "material" decisions and really weighing in the pros and cons. I have purchased only one tree this year based on that. That red Japanese maple was the last mistake I will allow myself to make based on spending that type of money ($300.00 tree!). $59 is a pretty good deal to come by in our neck of the woods though. Typically you would pay upwards of $150 for something like this, but it would be a waste of money if it just D I E D. If I were to purchase and chop it this next pre-bud swell, MACH, would you recommend also reducing the root ball significantly?
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
I hear you. Typically red varieties are less vigorous and generally weaker than the green ones. Do you know if this is just a standard green variety? If so, they are quite vigorous and good chances it would be fine after a hard chop. Perhaps do it gradually and not all at once specially if you plan to cut low.
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
No I probably would not reduce the rootball at this point. In fact, I would just leave in its current pot unless you see that it is root bound.
drew33998
Masterpiece
It appears to be a standard green JMM.
JohnDoses
Seedling
Absolutely worth the price as far as I'm concerned. These are not cheap around me and $59 would buy me something about 1/10th the thickness, no kidding.
