Alert. Have you seen this tree? This beautiful Birch bonsai was just stolen from Václav Stropek, who live in Nyrany in the Czech Republic. If you see it, please let Václav know ASAP.
Our original intention was to feature some Birch bonsai, not to send out an alert for stolen trees. Now however, we’ll put a hold on the Birch post and focus on helping Václav Stropek (Nyrany, Czech Republic) recover his stolen bonsai (the birch above and the excellent pine shown below). If you live in or near the Czech Republic, please be aware that someone may try to sell these trees and pass the word.
It’s always disconcerting when any bonsai any stolen, birch or otherwise. However, because there are only a handful of good birch bonsai in the entire world and because both of these trees are of exceptional quality, this theft has a particularly sharp sting.
This award winnin Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is the other missing bonsai. Please let Václav Stropek know if you see it.
I am so sick of seeing stolen bonsai! We shouldn’t even have to worry about this problem. Every year there’s bonsai stolen it just a shame its already and the season hasn’t even but started. I worry about this all the time, I have motion detected flood lights, motion sensing cameras, and very loud IR alarms with flashing strobes and voice warnings. I also show my bonsai elsewhere and never let people I don’t know and cannot trust into my garden. I’m hoping that creates enough commotion to deter anyone who enters my garden, at least enough to give me few minute to get outside with my 45!! The worst part about this all is that most of the people stealing these trees have no idea how to care for them, no idea what they’re actually worth, and probably doesn’t even know anyone to sell them to and get what they are worth. These trees end up getting sold for $50 or less for drug money. Just a damn shame! If I see these trees I will the owner know immediately. If I ever catch someone stealing bonsai they’ll never be able to steal another one I can assure everyone of that.