Some of the oldest and most prized bonsai in the world can fetch up to a million dollars, and some will never be sold because they are priceless. Going down a scale, you can see bonsai for the beginner or intermediate enthusiast. The price for these trees is far lower than their rival masterpieces. But still, the price for bonsai can sometimes be a little expensive. There are many reasons for this too, which I will cover in this short article.
The price of a bonsai is based on two main factors. The age of the tree, and the amount of work gone into the tree. A bonsai didn't start out as a bonsai, it started as a small nursery tree or stump and was then trained into a bonsai over time. Quite often in a bonsai show, you will see a card displayed next to the bonsai showing the age of the tree, and then the number of years spent in training. I can explain this further. Let's say that you had a small tree growing in your garden for 20 years, eventually, you pull it out of the ground and place the tree in a big pot. Once the tree is in a pot and you have started to develop the tree, the training has begun. If we worked on this old tree with further pruning and wiring techniques over a number of years, the end result would be a beautiful bonsai, both old and well trained. An old and trained bonsai is considered a piece of art and will fetch quite a high price. Although the bonsai beginner probably wouldn't invest in such a tree due to the price. However, a tree that is still quite young but has started its bonsai journey is perfect for beginners and can still be very beautiful!
I might add that a bonsai tree may also fetch a high price due to popularity or fame in the bonsai community. A bonsai dubbed the Yamaki Pine is a 400-year-old Japanese White Pine bonsai that has been handed down from generation to generation. This bonsai survived the atomic blast in Hiroshima, where the tree was situated in 1945. This bonsai is priceless.
Some trees, just like pieces of artwork, speak to someone more than the next person. What one person may pay $100 for, another person might pay $1,000 for. You won't find any $1,000 trees on this store! But I just wanted to give you an idea of how a tree isn't always measured by its age, training, or reputation, but how the tree makes the viewer feel. I have seen stunning bonsai that are only 4 or 5 years old, yet, others couldn't see why I was drawn to it.
Below I'll be covering the main factors that determine the price of a bonsai. You'll discover what really goes into that beautiful tree that catches your eye!
Age
As you have read above, a bonsai can actually be passed down through generations. The Ficus retusa Linn bonsai, which is found at the Crespi Bonsai Museum in Italy, is believed to be the oldest existing bonsai tree in the world at an estimated 1,000 years old. You won't find a tree that old here though! The average age of the bonsai found at Simply Bonsai is around 3 -15 years old. On occasion, we may list bonsai for sale that we have been training for some time. These are premium trees that are both old and have been trained. It is hard to put a price tag on time. There is also the supply and demand aspect of bonsai. Bonsai can take some time to develop, and there is generally not a great deal of them around. If you find a beautiful tree, that exact tree won't exist anywhere else as no two trees are the same. This can add to the price of a beautiful piece.
Training Bonsai - Techniques & Knowledge
The process of training a bonsai can be quite time-consuming. If I look at a tree that is going to be bonsai, I have to decide whether this tree will make a shape, I will then have to imagine how it will look after I prune certain branches or wire the tree into different positions. Being able to train a small tree and turn it into a bonsai requires the use of special techniques, experience, and most of all, patience. Some trees are easier to train into bonsai than some other difficult tree species. This will be factored in when pricing a tree too. The knowledge that the bonsai artist has of these trees is what goes into the piece of art that you see.
There are some species of tree that are harder to develop into bonsai and require special techniques on their own. Pines, for example, require special techniques to keep their needles small. Pines also enjoy pine needle mould added to their pot before repotting. Junipers enjoy a handful of sphagnum moss thrown into in their pot when repotting. It's these little things that you learn along the way that build your bonsai knowledge.
A bonsai artist, just like anyone else who specializes in anything, must have a skill set that takes years to develop. A bonsai master may have 60 years of experience in developing bonsai, and you can see that in their work. You pay a doctor, a plumber, or a tutor for their service because they offer something you want. Growing bonsai requires skills that take years to develop. Some of the trees that an artist will grow can take even longer. You're not just purchasing a tree, you're acquiring a unique bonsai that will reward you with many years of beauty. A lot of my trees have been looked after daily for years, right up until they're ready for sale. I'm watering these trees most days in summer, and I'm securing these trees when the storms come rolling in! Your bonsai was nurtured for so that you can continue to enjoy it for many years to come
Maintenance & Tools & Equipment
Bonsai requires unique tools and components that make the creation of bonsai sometimes pricey. Bonsai pots are often hand made (but not always). Bonsai soil has to be created to ensure good drainage in the pot. Wire is needed to hold the tree in place after repotting. We also use specialized tools to remove large branches, thin out foliage and assist us in repotting the bonsai.
Once the bonsai has been repotting, pruned, and tied into its pot, we now have to maintain the bonsai. In summer, watering may need to be done twice a day if the bonsai is in a shallow enough pot. When the bonsai is growing it will need to be fertilized. When pests and diseases arise, they will also need to be dealt with. Each season brings its own jobs. Winter is a relaxing time of year when you plan for the coming spring and carry out other general bonsai maintenance. A bonsai is being looked after its entire life. If you only have a few trees, the work you put into looking after them is far less than maintaining a fish tank! Also, the work you put into a bonsai never feels like work when you enjoy it.
Bonsai is Art
More than anything, a bonsai tree is a work of art. Every great bonsai tree is created through the vision of the artist. Considering the time that goes into creating these works of living art, bonsai is actually quite cheap. Afterall there is only one of each bonsai in the world, no two are the same.
When you buy a bonsai from Simply Bonsai, you receive a bonsai that has been meticulously cared for. We provide you with basic knowledge to keep your tree healthy, and also provide a lifetime of support for your bonsai. With proper care, your bonsai will be passed down to the next generation.
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