I got a Shishigashira (Mejishi) this summer that was 6 feet tall and in perfect condition. I have to say that now its changing colors its simply amazing. I was curious were you guys are out there what are the price ranges for them out there? I was able to get mine for $110 and I was told that that was a great price for the size of the tree I have.
Well... Two nurseries near me have "Shishigashira" available. Both nurseries have multiple trees. Most of these trees are about 6 inches in diameter at the base. One nursery is asking $570, the other nursery is asking $1200. So if your tree is even close in size... Nice buy.
Wow you guys have some really big (and expensive) trees available in your nurseries. I can't imagine there are many places over here in the UK selling large quantities of trees anything like the age and size of the ones shown. Not that I would ever be able to get away with spending that sort of money on a single tree.
My boss and I were discussing this same phenomenon about most European nurseries rarely selling plants larger than a 3 gallon size. I suppose it comes down to available land. When you have thousands of open acreage, you can afford to grow a tree for 6 or 8 years before selling it. When you only have a couple of acres, you've got to keep that product moving out to make room for new.
It has sense to me. Inventory rotation can be a key factor in marketing. But even in Europe you can find some exceptions to the norm. Look at this thread: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=36226&referrerid=21340 I would like to know more about this huge, exceptional cultivars and this nursery...
Sale day finally arrived and I came home with an Iseli "Ojishi". I can't wait to see it in spring, I'm really looking forward to the "Spring Flush". I'm nervous about this purchase because I didn't see this tree in spectacular fall color. By the time I found it at the nursery, it was rather blah - it was more burgandy than vibrant fire colors. . The "JM girl" swore it was because it was growing in a different part of the nursery and didn't get enough sun. So I figure I'll wait until Spring and if it does not demonstrate the classic "spring flush" I'll know I was sold a mismarked tree and I will take it back. If it does do what it is supposed to, I've got a nice sized tree at a reasonable price (thanks to the sale). I actually went in to the nursery determined to buy one of the "Shishigashira's" but when I inspected them they all looked pretty damaged at their bases and I just couldn't do it. So then I was determined to bring home the Ojishi that had already demonstrated beautiful fall color. I figured I would remove the damaged branch and still be happy. But after looking it over, I just couldn't bring it home. So I brought home what I've been calling "Ojishi 2." I also brought home a new Hogyoku that had demonstrated particularly beautiful fall color. It was more money for this one that the one I bought at a nearby nursery. Which I found out why when I unwrapped the less expensive tree; the twine under the burlap had severely girdled the tree. It goes back on Monday. I'm thinking I'll use my nursery credit on an Arbutus U.
After chasing my tail in what seemed like endless circles, I went back to the nursery again and bought the Shishigashira my hubby and I fell in love with together (pictured below; photo taken in October). I can't even begin to describe how excited I am about this tree. We have a pie shaped bed by the driveway entrance that we are going to landscape for around this tree.
That's a spectacular specimen. What's the stuff around the base of the trunk? Looks almost like a bag or something. That's not more trunk, is it? Congratulations on a terrific find. -E
the only problem I had with mine was that it got to cold to quick and I didn't get to see my tree at its full potential. I can't wait till next fall.
That is indeed a burlap bag. I'll try and take more photos tomorrow during daylight. But no promises as for the last week it has seemed like I have left home in the dark and come home in the dark. But hopefully tomorrow I should be able to spend a few hours in the garden. Thanks for the congrats. I'm REALLY REALLY excited. Here are some more pictures of the tree taken in October. I may have already posted some of them earlier in the thread. But this way it's more clear that these pictures are of my tree. :) Unfortuneately the leaf comparisons didn't turn out as well as I hoped, can't control on what the camera phone chooses to focus. BTW, the leaf comparisons are the Shishigashira labeled tree next to an Ojishi labeled tree (which originated from Iseli). The pictures of the leaves between the measuring sticks have the "Shishigashira" in the middle.
And the icing on the cake, for me, is that I got this tree (after sale discount) for 29% of what a rival nursery is asking for their "Shishigashira". Granted, the rival's had fewer transporatation wounds and the girth possibly may have been slightly bigger (I really don't think so; didn't have the measuring stick with me) but I LOVE the shape of the tree. Even my husband, who has yet to be infected with maple madness despite constant exposure, LOVES this tree. Shown below, alternate Shishigashira choices that were not chosen...
Ah yes, I guess I should have looked earlier. You've posted lots of pictures! :) (For which I thank you, it makes reading these forums even more fun). I somehow imagined some strange collar spread, or something. Obvious it's a bag once said (and shown). Great looking nursery, I'd be a frequent visitor. There aren't any nurseries to go and look at maples around here, sadly.
I am very lucky to live next to such a great nursery. Bainbridge Gardens not only has some great plants available, their after sale service is above grade. Some of their trees are more expensive than other nurseries, but then I've also gotten some real bargains - I mean smoking deals. And when I had an expensive tree get sick and die, I took it back over 6 months later and they refunded my money without a quibble. What I appreciated most was that they didn't try and make me feel bad. I guess they knew I already felt bad enough.
