Why Bonsai Are So Expensive | So Expensive

Bonsai is an art form that requires years of training and centuries of dedication. At the 2012 international

bonsai

convention, a tree was listed for sale for 100 million yen, just under a million dollars. And many more of these trees are considered invaluable. So what makes

bonsai

so

expensive

? Bonsai is the art of dwarfing a regular tree to create a perfect miniature representation of nature in a small pot. It has a long history. Originating in China, the practice of creating small trees and landscapes appeared as early as the 6th century. The tree's growth is restricted by years of pruning, wiring, transplanting and grafting, and the plants must be checked and watered frequently every day.

The skills needed to grow these trees play a huge role in their value. They are often bent and twisted into shape, placed around rocks, or even placed with other trees to simulate a small forest. Many of these techniques take years to master, and any mistakes made can permanently ruin the shape or even kill a plant that has been growing for centuries. Chiako Yamamoto is a fourth-generation bonsai master living in central Japan. She has been creating and selling bonsai for the past 51 years, and one of the most difficult skills to master when growing these plants is patience.

The time and devotion this process requires is unlike almost any other form of artwork. Although the work is almost a form of sculpture, plants are living beings and will always react in their own way. The extraordinary amount of time this process takes means that there simply aren't that many trees around. Some of the most valuable bonsai are over 800 years old, so supply won't increase anytime soon. Other factors may contribute to the cost. Bonsai pots and the tools used are often handmade and can cost thousands of dollars. Certain types of trees are also more difficult to grow or require certain techniques and can command a higher price.

But more than anything, these trees are works of art valued for their beauty and the artist's vision.