What would you pay for this tree?

[bonsai barry]

It's interesting the differences in price around the country. Here is an olive "Lil Ollie" that I posted in another thread.

How much would this tree sell for in your part of the country? (The trunk is about as thick as my wrist.)

 

[Gene Deci]

Of course it depends a lot on species. I do not know of anyone who does olives like that around here. I do not believe they are hardy enough and very few have indoor set-ups. So the price would be almost irrelevant.

 

[buddhamonk]

A much better olive of same size but trained for much longer with developed branches went for $40 or so at a recent auction. I do think people do not do much olive trees in the PNW.

 

[Si Nguyen]

In Southern California, where it is easy to get these regular olives, this tree would not be too expensive. Without the pot, I would probably pay $50-75 for it. Definitely less than a hundred. If it was more refined, like a few more years since the big chop, it would be a $200 tree easily.

eBay is not a bad way to establish a value for such a tree. Post it there and see what people around the country are willing to pay for it. On here, people tend to be jaded and skeptical and they will low-ball you, me included

 

[JudyB]

I'm with Si, if it were more developed, it would command a better than $100. pricing. If the bark were more aged, it would also do better than 100.
But you never know, people do get in bidding wars on ebay, and the size of the trunk itself is worth something decent.

And there are lots of people who want to do indoor bonsai in the colder climes, so I don't really think that has too much bearing on it. Because you can do olives inside during the winter, without much of a dedicated set up, as long as you do outdoors in the summer. I have one that thrives, and is just inside near a window in the winter (next to the fireplace, of all things!) I think they do ok inside because they like it warm and dry...

 

[PaulH]

I agree with Si and Judy.
One consideration though is that it seems shohin size material often sells for much more than larger material of equivalent quality. With a couple of years of refinement I wouldn't be surprised to see this sell for $400 in the right auction.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

That is a pretty sweet piece of material I could see it going for more than 200 on ebay. I would pay 100 easy, but then shipping...

 

[Poink88]

Here where I can find them in local nurseries easily...I'll put the value at around $35.00.

It is all about supply and demand.

 

[bonhe]

I think it depends on where the buyer is. If the buyer is living in the area which doesn't have any olive tree around, this little olive will be worth to get for any price which the buyer can afford. I'm living in the area which has so many giant olive trees that I can easily get a large cutting from, so I won't pay this olive for more than $20!
Bonhe

 

[GrimLore]

Lol, We have a local "expert" Chase Rosade who is far more expensive then I imagined for what I see as not so great plants... Although "his" [lants are awesome. I think as others have stated it really depends on the tree and area... Myself and first thought on that tree if sold in this area would be 125 dollars.

 

[bonsai barry]

Pretty funny, value between $20 and $200. You would think that in the age of e-bay and overnight shipping, there wouldn't be such a discrepancy in prices.

 

[jkd2572]

If you live in a bonsai Mecca like Oregon or California there is a lot more available thus making your tree worth less. If your in a place like Texas as I am, bonsai is not so plentiful so your tree might be worth more. eBay will give you your market value when someone buys it. It's worth what someone with gladly give you in exchange for your tree.

 

[edprocoat]

Its true just like in the real estate market its, location, location, location. Here in Florida Ficus go for a song as well as many tropical varieties. In Ohio a $40.00 Ficus would be priced closer to $200 just because they are not so available,

ed

 

[Brian Underwood]

I do a lot of buying, so I PERSONALLY would pay around $65 for it as it is now. On eBay it could go anywhere from $50-$300 depending on the time of year, and specific week listed.

 

[bonsai barry]

I do a lot of buying, so I PERSONALLY would pay around $65 for it as it is now. On eBay it could go anywhere from $50-$300 depending on the time of year, and specific week listed.

I think that's what I paid for it a couple of years ago, but I chopped a lot of it away so now it's only worth about $60.

 

[bonsai barry]

I've been thinking about:
1) This thread
2) Get rich quick schemes

The value of this tree varied from nothing ("Grow like weeks in southern CA") to over a $200. If this is true, I would think that some enterprising southern CA bonsai enthusiasts would collect an abundance of these trees and sell them across the US where they aren't as plentiful.

I would think if you could score $50-$100 per tree, it would be worthwhile. Southern Californians any response?

 

[Poink88]

Here is my $20.00 olive tree...
http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?9942-My-Olive-find

To score, it requires location and some luck though.

 

[Poink88]

I've been thinking about:
1) This thread
2) Get rich quick schemes

The value of this tree varied from nothing ("Grow like weeks in southern CA") to over a $200. If this is true, I would think that some enterprising southern CA bonsai enthusiasts would collect an abundance of these trees and sell them across the US where they aren't as plentiful.

I would think if you could score $50-$100 per tree, it would be worthwhile. Southern Californians any response?

If I am there...I probably am running this scheme a long time ago.

 

[bonhe]

The value of this tree varied from nothing ("Grow like weeks in southern CA") to over a $200. If this is true, I would think that some enterprising southern CA bonsai enthusiasts would collect an abundance of these trees and sell them across the US where they aren't as plentiful.

I would think if you could score $50-$100 per tree, it would be worthwhile. Southern Californians any response?

If I lost job, I would go into this business!
By the way, my friend and me are planning to collect the big olives soon! Just for fun, not for sale!
Bonhe

 

[rockm]

You gonna explain to those who live in temperate areas that the tree needs substantial winter protection or advise them to keep them indoors?

There's a reason these aren't used here in the east. They're a pain to overwinter without a cold greenhouse...Even the National Arb has had some issues overwintering Melba Tucker's olive...