• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Bonsai Tonight

An educational website about bonsai development

  • Blog
    • How-to Guides
  • Podcast
  • Shop
    • Bonsai
    • Books
    • Soil
    • Soil (wholesale)
    • Supplies
    • Tools
    • Video Consulting
    • Northern California Bonsai Resources
  • About
    • Workshops

Shopping for bonsai at Green Club

October 14, 2011 by Jonas Dupuich

There’s a big difference between shopping for bonsai at Green Club and buying bonsai at Green Club. I’m happy shopping – the quality is often outstanding – but it doesn’t stop me from imagining I’m in the market for trees like this. Maybe I’m looking for a large pine with great bark – show ready right off the shelf.

Pine

Large pine bonsai

I imagine the tree isn’t cheap, and keep looking. Maybe a pine with an unusual characteristic – something that sets it apart from other pines in the room – catches my attention. I give it a closer look.

Pine

Pine with unusual first branch

But before I can fully appreciate the age of the tree or the fun I could have trying to bring balance to such an intriguing trunk line, a rugged white pine calls to me. Good age, but less refined – a great project tree.

White pine

Rugged pine

95 man – almost 1 million yen, or  roughly $12,000. Not bad. But what’s this? Nice silhouette and spectacular roots for a white pine – this tree could really keep my interest.

White pine

White pine – neat roots

Wiring might be a chore (see Peter Tea’s Simple does not mean easy). The foliage is on the yellow side, but what roots! Scanning the room I notice a wonderfully green white pine. It’s a very pretty tree.

White pine

Stately white pine

So many upright trees – a cascade might be nice. Here’s a nice one, and a reasonable size too.

White pine

Cascade white pine

What’s this – a bargain? It appears the twin trunk white pine is offered for a mere $1,500. Why not?

White pine

Twin trunk white pine

If only the pine below were offered at that price. Wow!

Pine

A pine above the other trees

I see a tree that has been carefully detailed. The wiring makes me look more closely to see if the tree’s owner is trying to distract me with detail work. I’ll have to look closely at this one.

White pine

White pine and plenty of wire

So many pines to choose from. Maybe tosho’s the thing. I have no experience with the variety and am curious if the needles hurt as much as folks say. This one sure looks nice.

Needle juniper

Well-manicured needle juniper

I haven’t seen many needle junipers with more of a bunjin feeling – I could be the first on my block to own one.

Needle juniper

Tall needle juniper

I feel like I’ve been neglecting the deciduous trees. I would really appreciate a nice Japanese maple. With great roots. And branches. And anything else I could think of. Time to brush up on my bargaining skills.

Maple

Multi-trunk Japanese maple

A smaller maple might be easier to carry to workshops – and such a shallow pot!

Maple

Japanese maple – nice pot

Of course, I’m a sucker for blossoms, and choujubai quince and ume have long been favorites of mine.

Choujubai quince and ume

Choujubai quince and ume

I still remember the first choujubai bonsai I saw in Japan. I had glazed over the few photos I’d seen in books, but when I stood next to the small trees, glowing orange flowers and all, I instantly fell for them. They’ve been a favorite ever since.

Choujubai quince

Choujubai – roughly $5,000

Choujubai respond best to time – maybe there’s not as much I can do to work with tree along the way. A deciduous project could be fun, especially when the project is well under way.

Deciduous tree

A very good start

Shopping for trees like these isn’t much different from attending any great exhibit – the main difference is the visible price tag. What fun. This is the last of the photos Boon Manakitivipart took on his trip to Japan this past February. I’ve really enjoyed sharing them – I hope you did too!

Ezo spruce

Ezo spruce

Subscribe to Bonsai Tonight

New Posts Delivered Every Tuesday and Friday

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by Kit

Filed Under: Excursions Tagged With: Japan

Previous Post: « Shimpaku bonsai on sale at Green Club
Next Post: The largest trees on earth »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ferdinand says

    October 14, 2011 at 8:53 am

    Epic post! Thank you very much for this avalanche of astounding bonsai!

    I see Mr. Ebihara is selling a tree, I recognize that white pine with awesome nebari from the equally awesome Ebihara post. I wonder what the other two trees of his “selling only three trees a year”-quota will be 😉

    Ferdinand

  2. Fr. Tom Davis, OSA says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    I must admit that I would need a box of Kleenex to wipe the drool off of my face so as to not embarrass myself to much. Thanks for sharing!

  3. John Kirby says

    October 14, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    Ferdinand, it is my understanding that all of the Ebihara trees are for sale/have been sold due to his illness. Jonas, you know anything different? John

  4. xwires says

    October 14, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    That’s my understanding as well – I’ll make a note if I can find out any further details.

Footer

Follow Bonsai Tonight

Subscribe

Instagram ● Facebook ● Twitter
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • About

P.O. Box 6560, Alameda, CA 94501 · 510-915-2025 · jonas (at) bonsaitonight (dot) com

© Copyright 2009-2025 Bonsai Tonight · All rights reserved · Privacy · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can opt-out if you wish. Accept Decline Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT