How long does a bonsai tree live for? Some of the oldest Bonsai in the world are over 800 years; the result of many generations of patience and hard work.
1. Ficus Bonsai Tree
This Ficus Bonsai is reported to be over a thousand years old; the oldest Bonsai tree in the world. It is the main tree on display at the Italian Bonsai museum “Crespi”
2. Juniper Bonsai tree at Mansei-en, Japan
This Juniper is tested to be more than 1000 years old, collected in the wild in Japan. It is still a rough material, as it is in training. It is at the Mansei-en Bonsai nursery of the Kato family in Omiya, Japan. Photo by Morten Albek.
3. Bonsai Trees at Shunkaen Nursery
A stunning tree displayed at Shunkaen. The tree is estimated to be around 800 year old and is displayed in a beautiful tokonama.
4. Red Pine Bonsai
The red pine bonsai located at the Akao Herb & Rose Garden is not only one of the oldest bonsai trees, but it is believed to be the largest bonsai in the world. The tree is over 16 feet tall and over 30 feet wide and while its size is atypical for a bonsai, the red pine still qualifies as a bonsai tree as it is contained in what can technically be considered a pot.
5. Sandai Shogun no Matsu
The Sandai Shogun no Matsu is a five-needle pine bonsai and one of Japan’s national treasures. This bonsai tree is believed to be over 500 years old. It is named after Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, who received the tree when it was already about 200 years old.
