How to prevent bonsai theft?

[rockm]

At some point security becomes paranoia. I’m not too worried about people tracking me via photo (I do understand the concern though). My neighbors will let me know about suspicious people hanging around or will confront them directly. I know all my neighbors well (which is a powerful deterrent in itself). I trust them. I talk about my trees only if neighbors ask (mostly because going on and on about plants is frickin tedious and boring for most people).

I am a multiple gun owner but using them to defend my trees is not only illegal it’s silly. shooting someone running away with a tree could damage the tree not to mention get me a second degree murder conviction and 10-20 in the state pen.

 

[Coppersdad]

never posting pictures of your garden ever, from any angle whatsoever.

Not only thumbs up, H*LL YES!! It's a HUGE PART of DON'T BRAG!!!

 

[Coppersdad]

In order to deter thieves i keep my house looking as beat to shit as possible. Out of date shingle siding, crab grass in the front, cracked asphalt, unkempt shrubbery.. absolutely zero curb appeal.

Thieves show up and think my place has already been hit.

Great idea. I know a well known bonsai professional who does the same thing.

 

[Coppersdad]

I am a multiple gun owner but using them to defend my trees is not only illegal it’s silly. shooting someone running away with a tree could damage the tree not to mention get me a second degree murder conviction and 10-20 in the state pen.

Thank you for this comment. In the years I owned a safe full of firearms, it was easy for me to think in terms of revenge or punishing anyone who "did me wrong". Foolish thoughts and a really stupid idea. I prefer to see my grandchildren grow than have them visit me in prison.

I do own a dog who barks loud but is secretly a coward. She might try to open the gate for a thief who offered her a suitable food bribe. All that's ok, they gotta find my trees before they can steal them! (And, my trees just ain't that desirable anyway IMHO.)

 

[Time Wizard]

Is locational information still stored in exif data of digital photos too?

Most devices will store location as part of the exif data by default. Any social media app or website run by anybody even remotely competent will completely strip the exif data when any photo is uploaded, too, but it's best to strip the exif data on your end anyway. I have my phone set to automatically set my location as some miscellaneous town in Romania.

 

[Paradox]

I have two very good watch dogs that bark at the slightest thing. Even the neighbors standing in their own drive way sets them off. They sound pretty scary when they get going.
My trees are all behind a 6 foot fence and are not visible from the road. I also dont post pictures of my trees on social media.

I am very wary of any maintenance people that come to the house. Im always there if someone is there. Had someone ask if I sold trees once and I said that I dont. I've also said to people that "most of what I have was bought as cheap landscape material that I'm just messing around with trying to learn how to keep trees alive and do bonsai" I keep meaning to look into cameras but as someone stated, youll just get a nice video of your trees being stolen.

 

[IdAu]

If I was that worried about it I would rig up a trip wire alarm. Easy on and off and they will probably change their mind really quick. And if not, all eyes will be on them.

 

[Ply]

In a way it's surprising that bonsai theft occurs as much as it does - an average person has absolutely no clue how much value is in them. Especially shohin material, most people would have no clue how valuable they are. They likely couldn't distinguish a 15$ gardencenter ficus or elm from a $1000+ shohin.

So in bonsai theft it seems there's often someone involved who has knowledge of bonsai - and thats quite sad really.

 

[rockm]

In a way it's surprising that bonsai theft occurs as much as it does - an average person has absolutely no clue how much value is in them. Especially shohin material, most people would have no clue how valuable they are. They likely couldn't distinguish a 15$ gardencenter ficus or elm from a $1000+ shohin.

So in bonsai theft it seems there's often someone involved who has knowledge of bonsai - and thats quite sad really.

It’s the exact opposite. There are a few videos of people stealing trees. They’re generally of taking prize winning bonsai. They’re taking stuff they get an access to. They don’t have an idea of what is a good bonsai and a bad bonsai. They’re just looking for a quick buck or to satisfy some itch to have a bonsai

The most common form of theft is NOT the thefts going on at bonsai nurseries in Japan which are linked to sellers fences in Southeast Asia who do indeed contract thievery

 

[rutulus]

If someone else has suggested this already ignore me, but: consider contacting your homeowners insurance to get policy coverage for any particularly valuable trees. In the same way you might insure any other valuable but moveable thing, like jewelry.

I speak from experience when I say that surveillance footage of your garden will typically be useless unless you also have surveillance footage of the street. An individual with an obscured face can’t be identified without additional proofs such as their vehicle tag, make, model, color.

But never assume you’ll get your property back. That’s what insurance is for.

 

[Bob Hunter]

Ring Camera. you know instantly if someone is there, you can talk over the app. and set off alarm.

 

[Paradox]

Ring Camera. you know instantly if someone is there, you can talk over the app. and set off alarm. View attachment 613166

Yea we have one at the front door. I need to look into additional cameras

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

My deterrents are a 225 pound male great dane that stands as tall as my sternum, a 110 pound female great dane, along with a 85 pound pitt mastiff mix. Only a fool would get out of a vehicle with a dog that is bigger than they are, friendly or not, would you want to chance it?

My neighborhood has always played a major role in determining the size of my dogs. Over the last 40 years, I have always had a dog over 100 pounds, I live in a crap neighborhood. But the house was cheap. Also I am a retired home body. Difficult to predict when I will be out.

Also, as said by others, a good tall fence, and not being overly talkative about bonsai with neighbors. I have a neighbor kid cutting the front lawn, I mow the back yard lawn, the trees are in the back yard. The "kid" has been mowing my front & side yard for 2 years and so far has not noticed my trees, and I haven't mentioned them.

I had one tree stolen maybe 20 years ago. Likely by a neighborhood kid. No trouble since, but I have had to shell out a lot $ for dog food.

 

[Paradox]

No trouble since, but I have had to shell out a lot $ for dog food.

Yup the food and vet expenses add up but besides being pretty much the best alarm system and deterrent, my dogs are family to me and give me so much in return for the money spent on food, vet, toys, etc.

 

[It's Kev]

Put a hand grenade in the pot, wire the pin through the drainage hole to your bench. You might lose one tree, but the perpetrator will NEVER do it again, guaranteed

 

[MaciekA]

Ring Camera. you know instantly if someone is there, you can talk over the app. and set off alarm. View attachment 613166

Might wanna nuke the photo from the forum though as it didn't take long to pinpoint this garden

 

[dbonsaiw]

Unfortunately, booby trapping one’s bonsai is also illegal (grenade would ruin the other bonsai anyway). Anyone ever try simply bolting a pot to the bench (maybe through a drainage hole)?

 

[IdAu]

Unfortunately, booby trapping one’s bonsai is also illegal

Not here. I have small early detection devices triggered by a trip wire. They also make electronic audible ones for attaching to things like purses. Ear piercing noise goes off and stays with whatever you secure it to.

 

[Attmos]

yeah, here either. Just need to lock the dog out of the area covered with the detectors. WHich invites the neighbours'cat and you find yourself at 1AM looking at a surprised cat in your nightdress.

I thought I remembered you talking about having lost some trees to theft. Guess it was someone else. Conversation happened a while ago.

 

[Paradox]

Anyone ever try simply bolting a pot to the bench (maybe through a drainage hole)?

Dont know how this could be accomplished without removing the tree from the pot to both attach and detach from the bench.
Considering most of us move our trees to the benches in the spring and to winter storage in the fall not to mention rotating them periodically to make sure they get good sun coverage around the tree, this would be a major pain not to mention probably dangerous for the tree to have it de-potted several times in one year