Commentary

This article is the third (and last) in a series comparing the benefits and drawbacks of collected and nursery-bought trees for use as bonsai.

So you have given up the idea of collected trees for your bonsai garden, and have decided to stick with bought material. These trees deserve consideration, as they have certain merit for use. What are the drawbacks and benefits?

First the obvious: garden centre trees are intended for gardens! They are mass produced to be straight, conical, perfect, and sterile. They are often grafted onto a host trunk, leaving ugly warts or swellings. Large trees come in huge pots with their roots hidden under a foot of clay, and with no branches for at least the first three feet of trunk. In general, then, most trees found in the garden centre are simply inappropriate to use as bonsai, and will be a waste of money.

However, if you are lucky, you may find a nursery that specializes in material grown for use as bonsai. These nurseries are uncommon, but can be found. (The newsletter has published a list of nurseries to research - see March 2002.) Even these are not reliable as a source for great trees. It is an absolute must for you, the buyer, to be well versed in the basics of bonsai design, and to thoroughly and critically examine the tree before committing to the purchase. In the last article I mentioned the advantages of being picky. Manufactured stock may have some curves, or several branches to choose from, but you are not assured of finding a real gem. Better a single tree of extraordinary character, than ten which are totally boring.

These trees are also likely to be very, very expensive, particularly from the specialty nurseries. They have gone to considerable lengths to acquire the inventory, and they will expect a profit margin to justify the investment; otherwise they will sell orchids. And of course, the bigger the trunk, the higher the price tag.

It is important to recognize that there are many benefits to store- bought trees. First, and most obviously, they are more convenient than hiking several hundred miles out to the bush. A pleasant drive into the country, a morning's outing, free of mosquitoes and snakes, can be greatly preferable to the long trip collecting. Just as preferable is the luxury of backing the car up to the greenhouse to have a staff member load your purchase obediently into the trunk. Another great advantage to store- bought trees is the variety of species which can be obtained. Nurseries are in the business of purchasing and re-selling merchandise. They network a vast resource of material, which is delivered safely from many different areas, even other countries. A bonsai artist is naturally curious, and while many have preferences toward certain species, it is always fun to have a specialty in one's collection. These can be extremely difficult to obtain, and it is of great benefit to  have a nursery handy to do all the paperwork necessary in bringing these trees into the country.

This brings up another advantage to nursery-bought stock. Most respectable establishments adhere to the requirements regarding pest and disease control; it is simply good business to them. This results in the buyer being virtually guaranteed a healthy, happy tree with their purchase. Such guarantees are not available when collecting a tree from the wild.

Most good nurseries will offer many different sizes and prices of tree, which is an advantage to the beginner. Less expensive trees are good to learn on and are less intimidating than the big trees and big prices. Good nurseries will also have available the pots, wire, tools, and fertilizers which make your purchase a complete and satisfying one. Some even offer lessons for the beginner, which is invaluable for those getting started.

This concludes the series of articles comparing collected trees with nursery purchased stock. The comparison is incomplete, I'm sure. Experience will bring new reasons to support both sources for your collection. If you have other good reasons to support one or both venues for acquiring your material, I encourage you to submit them to your newsletter. If you have any questions unanswered or inspired by these articles, please forward them to the editor, or another member of your executive. Your input is valued and important to the club.