Crime Watch: The case of the purloined planter (and bonsai)

bonsai.jpgIt’s been gone a while, but CSR wonders if perhaps someone in WSB-land has seen the birthday-gift bonsai (photo at left) stolen from her home earlier this summer. From her e-mail: “On the weekend of July 5th while my husband and I were away, someone entered our fenced-in backyard in the Admiral neighborhood of 48th Ave SW and Lander and stole a 30-year old Chinese Elm bonsai and planter that I had given to my husband for his 70th birthday. The tree, about 2 1/2 feet high, is beautifully shaped and was the focal point upon entering our yard. When we filed a police report, we were told that it is not unknown for unscrupulous gardeners and landscapers to steal plants (even digging them up) and sell them to their customers. We believe that someone who knows the value of bonsai trees saw ours when the gate was open and waited until the time was right to steal it. Bonsai Northwest told our insurance company that stolen bonsai sometimes show up on Craig’s List. I suspect that too much time has gone by for this post to help us recover our stolen bonsai, but I am attaching a photo to alert our community and on the off chance that someone may have bought it from the thief not realizing that it was stolen.” If you’ve got a tip, the SPD non-emergency number is 625-5011.

2 Replies to "Crime Watch: The case of the purloined planter (and bonsai)"

  • arbor nulu September 2, 2008 (10:43 am)

    “Bonsai are not genetically dwarfed plants. They can be created from nearly any tree or shrub species and remain small through pot confinement with crown and root pruning.” – Wikipedia
    Have you tried Plant Amnesty? Crown and root pruning are harmful to plants according to them. This fascist organization belittles tree trimming (that is not in their style) and topiary with photos and nasty descriptions on its web site. They somehow gained the sanction of the City of Seattle!

  • Kathleen September 5, 2008 (1:54 pm)

    Oh! I LOVE Plant Amnesty. If you haven’t had a chance to see their founder’s Slide Show of Pruning Horrors, it’s a must see. Hilarious.
    They come at their topic with humor, and get you hooked with their take on aesthetics, but their real mission is to educate the public about the best methods for pruning shrubs and trees to maintain the health of the plant and to prevent homeowners from inadvertently creating hazards in their landscapes.

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