Butchered Yamadori beauty in the French Alps

[my nellie]

https://www.bonsaiempire.com/blog/yamadori-bonsai

Perhaps you have already read about this...
I just now read and saw the image and this is very sad for sure....

 

[Bonsai Nut]

A well-written article that summarizes my thoughts perfectly.

Why do things like this occur? Because people think they can make a "fast buck" by digging up yamadori. How sad that I don't tell people where some of my favorite / best trees are in the wild - because I fear that someone will see them, not understand they are not collectible, and kill them in a rush of greed.

The only solution I know of is to not buy from people outside of the established bonsai community. 500 year-old yamadori? Good for you - enjoy keeping it. A couple experiences like that and the neophyte collectors will find some other way to satisfy their greed.

 

[drew33998]

just imagine how many shimpaku junipers died at the hands of Japanese collectors looking to make a buck at the turn of the century

 

[petegreg]

And all the collectors swear their trees from The Alps were saved from rock avalanches.