How to prevent bonsai theft?

[Attmos]

I have some strong opinions on this subject. So, in advance, when I pop your balloon or destroy your illusions, I am intending to do it kindly. I do it without malice and with a good heart.

Cameras will give you a really nice memento of your tree theft.​

"Air Tags" batteries need changing... often. And, when they need it most, a thief will strike or he'll just remove it.​

Microchips, no matter where you install/hide them, need a specialized reader immediately next to them to read the ID number. Might help in an ownership dispute on a tree. But, I suggest it won't be much help to recover a stolen tree.​

Fastening a tree to a bench does make it immovable for the thief and the owner.​

Fences and locked gates can slow down but won't stop a determined thief.​

Please keep in mind most bonsai thefts are more crimes of opportunity and most thieves are sneaky opportunists and are adverse to being discovered.

• So, a fence works to keep your collection from being seen by strangers/passers-by.
• Motion lighting works by illuminating a criminal in your garden. (They don't like that.)
• A noisy walking surface in the garden always make noise, night and day. (Bad guys prefer to not make noise when they're being bad guys.) [My garden is covered with 2 inch, washed, crush granite. It'll never become a packed surface and will always make a noise when walked on.]

If a thief doesn't know you have bonsai, he probably won't try to steal them.
With this in mind there are several things you can do right now to make it less likely your bonsai will be stolen:

Hide them. That is, don't display them publicly around your home/garden. A fence is good. A taller fence might be better.​

Be aware of who you speak to about your hobby. Ask your family members to be cautious and considerate of your bonsai security.​

Be conscious of who visits your home. (I once saw a video of a delivery man in a brown truck who made a delivery to the front of a home in late evening while the owners were away. He then picked up a flashlight and proceeded to walk through and study each of the bonsai on display in a secluded front yard.)​

Be aware of all visitors. If a child is on a playdate at your house and then mentions to her mother something about your trees in pots within the hearing of the mother's new boyfriend...​

Am I saying you should be suspicious? I prefer to say be prudent. Be prudent in who it is who knows you have trees and who sees your trees.​

Finally, DON'T BRAG. Stay off social media. If you must do that kind of stuff for an ego boost, make certain no one can locate your garden.

And, if you're a bonsai professional, you'll do what you gotta do. I wish you well.

I do share this with respect to any and all other opinions.

Sounds exactly like the advice I used to give to first time weed growers!

 

[Attmos]

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

I can think of a few ways, none that would actually be appealing to a Bonsai artist... but...

 

[blackadam]

Dont know how this could be accomplished without removing the tree from the pot to both attach and detach from the bench.

this is simplest design i can think of - washers not included, require pot with quite big wire holes (depend on bolt diameter)

 

[_#1_]

View attachment 613433
this is simplest design i can think of - washers not included, require pot with quite big wire holes (depend on bolt diameter)

What if the thief be like, screw you anti theft! Nip the root tie downs, lift the whole tree out the pot and wrap the rootball in burlap. Now the thief can run and jump twice as fast because of the missing pot.

Unless they're steeling the tress for the pot than that's a different story

 

[Paradox]

View attachment 613433
this is simplest design i can think of - washers not included, require pot with quite big wire holes (depend on bolt diameter)

And the holes would basically be blocked, not allowing water flow. There is a reason pots have holes. If the pot doesn't drain properly, the roots stay too wet and the tree is at risk of root rot and health problems

 

[blackadam]

how much drainage can be blocked using holes typically used fo wiring?

Nip the root tie downs, lift the whole tree out the pot and wrap the rootball in burlap.

1st - should be aware tree is tied to the pot (i dont even know before forum)
2nd - this narrows the circle of suspects...
3rd - i like idea of boobytraps/shotguns/violence against thieves but
a) this is rather illegal
b) i thought growing little trees is peacefull relaxing hobby, far away from bad habits

 

[Canada Bonsai]

I just make sure the door locks behind them on the way in

“now youse can’t leave”

 

[Housguy]

Hi,

As your collection grow and you spend more time and resources on your bonsai projects with time, say you have over 50 trees and live in a city.

Has anyone experienced theft of your trees? And how do you prevent it?

My theory is large trees are heavy and probably not a thing for regular thieves and not easy to sell for cash? So I guess the probability is low.

Well- my neighbour just mentioned I might be a bit more careful with my trees as their friend got bonsai trees stolen many years ago. I got cctv and lights in my garden front and back and have gates and locks at access points. Not sure what else to be done.

Interested to hear your thoughts.

Get a dog, here is my bonsai garden security, lol. I hate thieves, but so far I have only killed trees instead of getting them stolen. Good Luck!

 

[Paradox]

b) i thought growing little trees is peacefull relaxing hobby, far away from bad habits

I think we all do but stories of trees being stolen whether they are truly valuable or not, makes us all a bit nervous.
None of mine are particularly valuable but some I have over 10 years invested in their development so Id hate to lose them for any reason

 

[blackadam]

yea, i get it, but i'd rather stay on that 'peacefull' part

 

[baron]

It seems the guard dog is a commonly used prevention, but from what i've been told it's not very reliable.
They get put to sleep or worse.. even heard a few cases where the dogs were just killed.
I've heard some pretty gnarly stories from professionals in their career over the years.

I'm hoping/counting on my fences (with barbwire) and security system to keep unwanted guests out and if they do get in at some point.. well good thing we are not allowed to carry arms here, because I would make sure they don't try again.
Like Canandabonsai said "just make sure the door locks behind them on the way in".

 

[rockm]

Fences and keeping your mouth shut are the most effective. Guard dogs are overrated by their owners. Most dogs really aren’t going to put up much of a fight if confronted. Even if they make a lot of noise. It’s the noise that does the job. Threatening appearance is greats deterrent too. BUT smart burglars bring dog treats.