Explore the best big bonsai trees across the world, from ancient masterpieces to modern styles. Look at the unique creations.
Big bonsai trees bring the beauty of nature indoors with their miniature yet majestic presence. These large bonsai offer a striking balance between art and nature, making them perfect for home or garden decor. With proper care, they grow gracefully, adding charm and a peaceful vibe to any space.
https://abanahomes.com/blogs/news/top-15-biggest-bonsai-trees-in-the-world
Big Bonsai Trees
1. Japanese maple, by Walter Pall
This bonsai tree is one of the most famous in the world. It looks incredibly beautiful and lifelike. It belongs to a European bonsai artist, Walter Pall. The tree is a large maple, almost a meter tall—the tallest size for a bonsai—and over 100 years old. It is truly a masterpiece created by a talented artist!
The bonsai was brought from a well-known nursery in Japan around 1980. At the nursery, it wasn’t getting the best care. But after Walter Pall took ownership, he cared for it year after year, turning it into one of the most famous bonsai trees in Europe.
2. Red Pine Bonsai at the AkaBig Bonsai Treeso Herb & Rose Garden, Japan
The Akao Herb and Rose Garden has twelve themed gardens, unique trees, many types of roses, a herb garden, a Rose Valley, and bonsai trees. The entire garden covers about 660,000 square meters.
One of the most special trees in the garden is a red pine bonsai, which is one of the oldest and largest bonsai trees in the world. It stands over 16 feet tall and spreads more than 30 feet wide. Even though it is much bigger than a typical bonsai, it still counts as one because it grows in a container.
Since the tree is so large, one of its main branches needed support to keep it from falling. This impressive bonsai stands in the center of the garden, attracting visitors with its unique size and beauty.
3. Giant Bonsai at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace in Tokyo has a huge bonsai tree that needs support to keep it from bending under its own weight. In its small form, this tree can decorate any home with its rich, dark green leaves, symbolizing a long history.
4. Sandai Shogun no Matsu
The Sandai Shogun no Matsu is a five-needle pine bonsai and one of Japan’s National Treasures. It is named after Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu and is believed to be over 500 years old. Iemitsu bought the tree when it was nearly 200 years old, and since then, it has been passed down from one emperor to the next.
For over 500 years, Japan’s emperors have cared for this bonsai, which is now part of the Tokyo Imperial Palace collection.
5. Yamaki Pine
The Yamaki Pine became one of the most famous bonsai trees in the world after its true history was discovered in 2001. Masaru Yamaki gave the tree to the United States in 1976 as part of a gift of 53 bonsai trees for the country’s 200th birthday. However, this bonsai is special because it survived the atomic bomb that hit Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II.
The National Arboretum did not know the tree’s history until 2001, when Yamaki’s grandchildren visited to see it. They shared information about the tree, including a news video from after the bombing that showed the bonsai still standing at the Yamaki Nursery.
In 2015, as the 70th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing neared, the National Arboretum honored the tree’s history.
6. Ficus Retusa Linn
The Ficus retusa Linn at the Crespi Bonsai Museum in Italy is believed to be the oldest bonsai tree in the world, around 1,000 years old. Luigi Crespi, the museum’s founder, spent ten years trying to buy the tree and finally got it in 1986. Before that, Chinese masters had cared for it, and Japanese bonsai artist Shotaro Kawahara shaped it when it first arrived in Italy. Since then, Crespi and Alberto Lavazza have looked after it. When the museum opened in 1991, the tree was placed in a glass pagoda as its main attraction.
7. Rikushu-no-Matsu Ship Pinemj
The Rikushu-no-Matsu Ship Pine is one of Kyoto’s most famous trees and can be found in the gardens of the Kinkakuji temple. This ancient tree is about 650 years old and has been shaped to look like a ship, with its trunk and branches forming the mast and bow.
It’s not the easiest tree to grow, but with patience, it becomes a beautiful, full tree that can enhance any indoor space.
8. Brazilian rain tree, by Budi Sulistyo
This tree was grown from a small cutting, and the photo above shows it after 12 years. The Brazilian Rain Tree, native to Central and South America, is considered one of the most beautiful tropical trees and a popular choice for bonsai.
This tree has a natural beauty that feels effortless as if it grew this way on its own. Its shape looks perfect, with a strong, textured trunk and a well-balanced top. It truly represents bonsai perfection.
9. Masahiko Kimura’s Bonsai
Masahiko Kimura is a famous bonsai master. His large collection of bonsai trees is known around the world. He started learning bonsai at age 15 as an apprentice to Master Hamano in Omiya Bonsai Village.
10. Goshin
John Y. Naka created the Bonsai Goshin, which means “protector of the spirit.” It is a group of eleven Foemina Juniper trees, with the first one starting its bonsai training in 1948. In 1984, Naka donated it to the National Bonsai Foundation, and it has been on display at the US National Arboretum ever since.
