That's a lot of $ for something that's potbound.
Are you sure that it is, by the way? Did you pull it out of the container and look at it?

If you have and haven't purchased it yet, I would look at it carefully. Even if it's not potbound, that's still pretty high for a tree that size that the nurseryman says he wants to clear out.

There are a couple of OK online nurseries that sell small sizes potted with soil and everything. The price for the tree is probably much lower but of course the shipping can be very expensive.

I didn't pull it out, but I'd think it'd have to be pot bound. I bought the other early winter '09 for $50, but there were 3 back then and of course we were heading into the 'off season.'

And yes, having anything but tiny or bare root shipped will run the price up, I'm thinking.

I might consider a small size, but how small? I'm told these guys grow slow; maybe 6 - 8" max per year? I'm about to turn 42; would like it to pass 10 feet before my teeth fall out!

Richard.

Without the results of squeezing the pot or pulling, hard to say from a distance if it is worth it. But paperbarks are inherently expensive as they are slow to get going in nursery culture.

Dan

It depends on how many they can get in a box.
As you guessed, the moist soil and container weighs but also the length of the box adds to the cost with the dimensional weights that UPS now charges. Even if the box is light as a feather, if it's a big box, they may bill it at a 50 lbs.
To make matters worse the nurseries tend to be in the northwest. Being so far from the east coast doesn't help the shipping rates any.

As for this paperbark, if its potbound I'd pass on it. Even a very desirable tree like paperbark maple is no bargain if its potbound. Especially at $100, it's certainly not a clearance special.

Last time I ordered a 5 gallon potted tree, it was about $40-50 then another $50 for shipping. And the box was about 6 feet, so I'd say the tree was about 5' at planting time.

So $100 may get you a brand new one from a reputable nursery. With a warranty.

Keep shopping.

And look at some of the faster growing maples.

drrich2,
Pull it out. Sometimes it will surprise you. Reason I say this that that sometimes roots are "pruned" in winter due to the outside of the pot being colder than the center. This is NOT ideal, but at the same tie, if you can get it cheap enough I would give it a shot. In fact I did the very same thing at a nursery not too far away, and got away with it. With that said, if you DON'T get it for CHEAP, pass it by IMHO. One option that many people on here will not like, but has served me well it ebay. I've bought several items from "Oregon Grown" and have been very happy with them. They are in tree "tubes" but all have been healthy and exactly as advertised. This includes a Acer triflorum, Acer pseudosieboldianum, and Acer griseum (paperbark). The paperbark was a 3 foot whip. But here is the other thing I need to add. I can't say for you in Ky, but here in NW Arkansas at about 1200' elevation, they are NOT slow growing at all. Ours is planted with mulch in a Bermuda lawn in full sun that is not over fertilized. It's grew about 3 feet last year. Yes three feet, as did the triflorum. And no, I did not fertilize it. I can't claim yours will do that, but they are not as slow growing as advertised if given condition they are happy with.

Arktrees

I'm not sure it's the best choice either. 5 years growing in a smallish, possibly 3G container will definitely equal a rootbound condition. But this is not insurmountable. If you do decide to purchase, I'd wash the roots of all remaining container soil and gently spread them out. Remove any larger girdling or circling roots and prune off 1-2" of the smaller feeder roots before planting. This will encourage regeneration of the feeder roots and hasten establishment.

And while paperbarks are not typically inexpensive trees - for the reasons Dan mentioned - that price seems high for one that size that's been sitting around for 5 years. I might try negotiating a lower price or consider one of the newer but more pricey ones the nurseryman can bring in. And they can grow quite a bit faster than you realize. A 1G seedling paperbark I planted in my old garden - about 24" tall at the time - grew to 10' within 10 years.