Nuts, need your expert counsil. Would you buy it?

[Mihai]

Hello Bnuts. I was down a a garden center today and there was this pinus nigra that caught my eye. It has the most dubious trunk base i have ever seen. The problem is that i have no clue if the tree can be reduced enough to be worth it. Also no desgn comes to mind looking at it.
Would you spend 100$ on the thing? Pics below.

 

[TomB]

Would you spend 100$ on the thing?

No.

 

[Giga]

That base is not bad and if it continues to flare out it could be a good buy for something unique , for 100$ i'm not sure as it need some tlc and repotted. Talk to the manager and get a discount, Anytime I make a point to ask I usually get something like 25% off.

Edit: on second look the branches are low too so it could work but how skilled are you with pines, and these guys can be a bit fussy

 

[rockm]

I would not buy that. Roots are a mess and it looks like it's planted in cement. Also, don't confuse weird for attractive. Those roots are just weird and would take a very long while to sort out. Not worth $100, maybe $25 or less.

 

[Guy Vitale]

For $100 you could probably get some nice pine pre bonsai that might not be that large, but would develop much better in far fewer years.

 

[Adair M]

Something like this "could" be trusted into something interesting. There is good flair at the nebari. Some issues, too. But they can be pruned off.

I would see it as a grafting project. Take some scions from the foliage above, and graft it way down low.

Not for the beginner, however. If what I just said scares you, pass. If it excites you, buy it!

 

[GrimLore]

Honest I see a nice smaller tree in there. But I would avoid it as there is a lot more work then I have left in me for it... If you want to work it by all means get it but that price seems a bit high...

Grimmy

 

[Cypress187]

I'm no expert but looks gigantic and needs massive work (roots/height/compact). I think there are more prepared tree's to be found for 100, but maybe not as fat.

 

[sorce]

I'd flip a coin.

Sorce

 

[wireme]

Maybe you could make an aroused Ent.

 

[Mihai]

=))) the fallic symbol on the thing is what makes it stand out ).

 

[DougB]

I also vote NO.

So Mihai what did you do?

 

[erb.75]

if in doubt (esp. at a price that is not cheap), then pass

more and more the only trees that I buy I literally can't believe that I actually get to take them home. if you're not as excited about it as that, pass.

 

[namnhi]

No

 

[petegreg]

Expensive and risky. It needs to be get to bonsai soil. The top should be reduced and the lower branches do not look too viable. Not a short time and safe investition.

 

[twisted trees]

Well, first of all there is a graft union which is a minus. Second austrian pines have very large needles which will not work with the smaller size that you are envisioning as the final tree another minus. Third it appears there is a lack of interior buds and nigra do not do much in the way of adventitious budding. Another minus. So the positives are it's alive and has weird roots. I'd spend my hundred dolla elsewhere but I'm a cheap sob anyway.

 

[Vance Wood]

The real issue is if you think this tree is within your skill level to deal with competently. There are some nice things, but Austrians are difficult to work with. I have only once seen a good bonsai made of one; there was one at the National Show that was pretty nice.

 

[M. Frary]

No

That's the way to answer!

 

[Mihai]

Hey Doug... Sleeping on it. Thanks guys for the objective feedback. Probably not going to take the risk with all the flaws you pointed out. Maybe if i can get them to go a lot lower with the price.

 

[crust]

Buy only to regraft.