One of the most interesting features of bonsai is the age of the trees. Some bonsai artists have bonsai trees their entire lives. Passing them down to their children and grandchildren. Many bonsai trees last for multiple generations but some have outlived empires. Let’s take a look at some of the oldest bonsai trees alive in the world today!
7) Yamaki Pine
Age: 390+ Years Old
Location: Washington D.C., USA
This tree stood near the entrance of the national Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington D.C. No one knows the origins of this tree. It came onto American soil in 1976, as a gift from Nippon Bonsai as a part of the USA’s bicentennial celebration. Check out this Smithsonian article to learn more!
6) Sandai Shogun no Matsu
Age: 500 Years Old
Location: Tokyo, Japan
This Tokugawa’s pine has been Japanese royalty for over 500 years. Many Japanese Emperors were proud to care for it. This bonsai tree has been cared for by Japan’s emperors for over 500 years. It’s one of the oldest known bonsai trees in the world and is still alive and thriving to this very day. You can see it for yourself, right where it has been for centuries; The Tokyo Imperial Palace.
5) Unnamed Bonsai Tree at ShunkaEn
Age: 800 Years Old
Location: Tokyo, Japan
This is a famous bonsai tree is located in Tokyo, Japan. Owned by bonsai master Kunio Kobayashi. It’s on display today at his bonsai museum ShunkaEn, in Tokyo, Japan.
4) Ficus Retusa Linn Bonsai
Age: >1,000 Years Old
Location: Parabiago, Italy
This Ficus bonsai is over 1,000 years old. It’s on display as the centerpiece of the Crespi Bonsai Museum in Milan, Italy. It is originally thought to have Chinese orgin. It made it to Italy in 1986 when, after a decade of attempts, Luigi Crespi, obtained ownership. Japanese master Shotaro Kawahara was asked to shape the tree, and it has been on display at the Crespi Bonsai Museum since it’s founding in 1991.
3) Hinoki cypress
Age: 232 Years Old
Location: Boston, MA, USA
This small bonsai cypress tree has spent over two centuries in the same bonsai pot. It is currently the oldest living bonsai in the USA. You can see it at Arnold Arboretum on campus at Harvard University, as the jewel of the Lars Anderson Bonsai Collection. One of the most amazing things about this bonsai tree is that Cypress trees require routine maintenance and care. Keeping one alive this long is quite the accomplishment.
2) Red Pine Bonsai
Age: >600 Years Old
Location: Atami, Japan
This bonsai tree has the distinction of being one of the worlds largest bonsai trees. Today it sits at the Akao Herb and Rose Garden. This tree’s 16 ft tall stature, classifies it as an imperial bonsai. Most bonsai trees are much smaller. This bonsai giant would likely be hunderds of feet tall if not dwarfed for over half a millennia.
1) Juniper Bonsai Tree
Age: >1,000 Years Old
Location: Omiya, Japan
This ancient tree is owned by the Kato family in Japan. It was collected from the Japanese forest. Stored in the Omiyan bonsai village, which includes many famous bonsai gardens. Known as “The Sacred Land of Bonsai”.
It’s hard to imagine these trees all started out as just a seed. If you are interested in growing a bonsai tree of your own. Check out our Bonsai Growing Guide, and get started today!
Do you know of any old bonsai trees that are not in this list? Go over to our contact page and let us know!