Many bonsai enthusiasts first thought is like, how old can be a bonsai? How many oldest bonsai trees in the world exist? Well, there are hundreds of thousands of bonsai in the world, among them very few are carrying the history of many centuries! We discovered many but picked the top 32 oldest bonsai trees for you. Please enjoy the bonsai as I enjoyed while picking them.
1. 1200 years old Ficus Bonsai
Ficus Bonsai trees are the oldest bonsai in the world, and Ficus plants are one of the most popular plants for doing bonsai.
This oldest Ficus retusa linn bonsai, currently located in Crespi Bonsai Museum, Italy, has been estimated to be 1200 years old. Ficus retusa linn is a variety of Ficus Microcarpa, native from Asia. It’s commonly used as bonsai for its small leaves and branches that can be shaped easily.
2. 1,000 year old The Mansei-en Juniper Bonsai
This 1,000 year old Juniper bonsai is the oldest Juniper bonsai in the world. Currently located in the Mansei-en bonsai nursery in Japan, owned by the Kato family. This bonsai was started from a wild material, collected from the wilds of Japan. The oldest Juniper bonsai is lab tested and proven to be over 1,000 years old.
3. 800+ Year old bonsai, at Shunka-en bonsai museum
Have you ever wanted to see a tree that’s over 800 years old? Well, now is your chance! The Shunka-en Bonsai Museum, located in Tokyo, Japan, has one of the oldest bonsai in the world. And it’s estimated to be around 825 years old which makes this tree older than most buildings in America!
4. 800 Year old Bonsai, at Shunka-en bonsai museum
This is another masterpiece from Shunkaen museum. This amazing bonsai tree is estimated to be around 800 years old.
5. 600 years old Red Pine Bonsai – at Atami, Japan
This 600-year-old red pine bonsai is located at the Akao Herb & Rose Garden. According to the garden employee, it is believed to be the largest bonsai in the world. The bonsai is over 16 feet tall and over 30 feet wide and while its size is unusual for a bonsai, the red pine still qualifies as a bonsai tree as it is contained in a pot.
For the size, the tree needed extra support in order to hold up one of its main branches.
You can’t stay close to take a whole tree shot, this photo was taken with an ultra-wide lens.
6. 500 years old Sandai Shogun’s pine (five-needle pine) Bonsai
Have you ever heard of the 500-year-old pine tree at Tokyo Imperial Palace?
The Sandai Shogun’s pine is a five-needle pine that has been carefully nurtured for over 500 years.
It was first planted in 1478 by the third Shogun, Ieyasu Tokugawa, and it still stands today as one of Japan’s most treasured trees. This ancient Japanese treasure is now on display at Tokyo Imperial Palace Museum. About 81 centimeters in height, this bonsai has honored the masterpiece of masterpieces.
7. 400 years old The Japanese White Pine Bonsai
Ever heard of a tree that survived the Hiroshima bombing? This Japanese White Pine bonsai survived, and it is one of the oldest bonsai in the world. It’s over 400 years old and has been trained since 1625.
Oldest bonsai at the Arnold Arboretum Museum. This bonsai was in the same Japanese family for almost 400 years from its start, until gifted to the U.S. in 1976 by Masaru Yamaki.
8. Nearly 300 years old “Chabo-hiba” Hinoki cypress Bonsai
This is another oldest bonsai in the Arnold Arboretum museum. The Chabo-Hiba Hinoki cypress has been around for nearly 300 years.
9. 226 years old Japanese Red Pine Bonsai
This 226-year-old Japanese red pine was gifted by the Emperor of Japan from the Imperial collection. It’s been in training since 1795, so it’s got all the character and charm of an antique! The branches are healthy and strong, with deep green foliage.
10. 196 years old Thorny Elaeagnus Bonsai
Almost 200 years old Thorny Elaeagnus bonsai is a flowering and fruiting plant, if you visit the museum in spring, you may look for berries! Surprisingly, this bonsai started its journey from a cutting in 1825, since then training started.
11. 189 years old Japanese White Pine Bonsai
This 189-year-old Japanese white pine bonsai was a gift from the King of Morocco, His Majesty Hassan II, to President Ronald Reagan in 1983.
12. 165 years old Trident Maple Bonsai
One of the oldest Trident maple bonsai, grown from a seedling. This majestic bonsai is under training since 1856! Gifted by Tanekichi Isozaki to the United States in 1976.
13. 146 years old Hinoki-cypress Bonsai
This is a gift to the people of America from Japan. It’s a 146-year old Hinoki cypress that was in training since 1875, and Shuhei Nagai gifted this Cypress bonsai in 1976. It’s one of the oldest bonsais in existence and has been meticulously cared for over the years to ensure its survival.
14. 146 years old Chinese-quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis) Bonsai
This old Chinese-quince bonsai is in training since 1875, a precise gift from Etsusaburo Shiina, at 1976.
For most species, the techniques of bonsai can reduce the size of the leaves, but fruit and flowers remain the same size as they bear in naturally growing trees. Not surprisingly, this quince bonsai produces 5-inch fruits.
15. 145 years old Higo camellia Bonsai (Camellia japonica ‘Yamato-nishiki’)
An amazing gift to the people of US from Nippon Bonsai in 1976. This Higo camellia is under training since 1876. Higo camellia flowers are distinctive for the bold sunburst pattern of yellow stamens at the center of the petals. In Japan, these winter blossoms are associated with the bravery of samurai.
16. 126 years old Trident Maple Bonsai (Acer buergerianum)
This majestic maple bonsai is a gift of the Royal Household of Prince Takamatsu. It was started from a seedling and under training since 1895. This maple bonsai is an excellent example of bonsai artistry.
17. 126 years old Japanese Black Pine Bonsai
The 126 years old, Japanese Black Pine bonsai is a gift from Mr. Saichi Suzuki to the United States in honor of the bicentennial. This black pine bonsai was chosen as the first tree because it was believed to be about 200 years old at the time of the dedication in 1976. Mr. Suzuki had been growing bonsai trees since his youth and continued until his death at age 100.
18. 126 years old Japanese Zelkova Bonsai
This 126-year old Japanese Zelkova tree was given to the United States as a gift by Yoshibumi Itoigawa in 1976 and has been carefully cared for ever since. The zelkova tree is known for its beautiful bark that peels away like paper, revealing patches of green underneath.
This 4 feet tall Zelkova bonsai gives the appearance of a giant tree with a mature trunk, organized surface roots, and carefully created ramifications.
This is a gift that will last for generations to come and can be passed on from generation to generation as well! The Japanese zelkova has been in training since 1895, and it’s still growing strong today.
19. 126 years old Toringo Crabapple Bonsai
This old Crabapple bonsai was a gift of Shu’ichi Ueda in 1976. Crabapple has four-season interest for the viewers as white blossoms in spring; bright green leaves in summer; yellow fruits in autumn; and when its leaves fall in winter, the bent and craggy silhouette of an aged tree. This bonsai in training since 1905.
20. 125 years old Ginkgo Biloba Bonsai
This Ginkgo bonsai was a gift by Masayuki Fujio, in 1976. Ginkgo biloba is an ancient tree that has been around for over 200 million years. It’s one of the oldest living species on the earth. Like this bonsai tree, bulbous growths typically appear on older ginkgo trees, which helps to grow ariel roots for survival in times of environmental stress. This old Ginkgo biloba has been in training since 1896.
21. 116 years old Cryptomeria Japonica Bonsai
The cryptomeria is a gift from the Prime Minister of Japan to the United States in 1976 in commemoration of the bicentennial anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between them for this century beyond.
This bonsai is under training since 1905!
The tree stands as a living memorial to commemorate these historical events which have brought the two nations closer together than ever before.
22. 116 years old Sargent Juniper Bonsai
This is a 116-year old Sargent juniper bonsai tree. It has been in training since 1905 and was gifted to the museum by Kenichi Oguchi in 1976.
The Sargent juniper (Juniperus Chinensis ‘Sargentii’) is native to China, growing on rocky slopes at high elevations. Bonsai cultivation of this species began in Japan during the Meiji era (1868-1912).
By the way, the design of the museum logo was inspired by this amazing bonsai.
23. 115 years old Japanese Maple Bonsai (Acer palmatum)
This Japanese maple bonsai is 115 years old and has been in training since 1906! It’s a gift from Ryutaro Azuma to the Arnold Arboretum museum in 1976.
24. 115 years old Chinese Banyan (Ficus Microcarpa) Bonsai
This is another old Ficus bonsai that has been in training since 1906. Gifted by Shu-ying Lui, in 1986.
The Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa) is one of the most popular plants for indoor use because it can tolerate low light, neglect, and poor air quality. It also requires little care once established.
In addition to its ease of culture, this species has attractive shiny leaves with dark green coloration on top and silver-green coloration below. The small figs add interest when they appear in the summer months.
25. 115 years old Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) Bonsai
This Chinese Elm bonsai is 115 years old! Its hollow trunk, trunk movement, and ramification are outstanding. This bonsai is in training since 1906, it’s a gift from Yee-sun Wu and shifted at the National Arboretum on October 8, 1986.
26. 105 years old Trident Maple Bonsai
This old Trident maple with “root-over-rock” style is a famous bonsai. This Maple bonsai is under training since 1916, and it was gifted by Takeo Fukuda in 1976.
27. 96 years old – Oldest Wisteria Bonsai
This oldest Japanese wisteria bonsai tree is under training since 1925. Wisteria bonsai with dense foliage is not so easy as it does not produce fine twigs. You need to be an expert to create dense foliage. This wonderful Wisteria bonsai was gifted by Kihei Tamura.
28. 96 years old Red Ezo Spruce (Picea glehnii) Bonsai
This old Red Ezo spruce bonsai was started from wild material, probably it was about 120 years old when collected in Japan. In 1925, its training has begun. In 1976, this amazing bonsai specimen was gifted by Tokuei Tanaka.
29. 95 years old Ginkgo Biloba Bonsai
As mentioned previously, Ginkgo is the oldest living species on the earth. This 95-year-old Ginkgo bonsai is under training since 1926 and it was gifted by Kiku Shinkai in 1976.
30. 95 years old Japanese Hemlock (Tsuga diversifolia) Bonsai
Japan’s Princess Chichibu was a famous patron of bonsai art. In 1976, she gifted this old Japanese Hemlock bonsai from her royal collection to the United States. This bonsai is in training since 1926.
31. 82 years old Red Ezo spruce (Picea glehnii) Bonsai
This Spruce bonsai was collected and styled by Japanese bonsai master Saburo Kato, in training since 1939. In 1998, Japanese Prime Minister Obuchi officially gifted this bonsai to United States President Clinton.
32. 82 years old Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) Bonsai
This old graceful shape of maple bonsai is in training since 1939. For the United States, a gift from Japanese Prime Minister Obuchi’s personal collection in 1999.
In conclusion
If you love bonsai or are interested in learning more about them, the Arnold Arboretum museum in Boston is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience something truly unique. There’s no better way to spend your time than by seeing this beautiful piece of history with your own eyes!
