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Over the years I have had a few trees stolen. Mostly from the shop. Once at the house as far as I can remember.
I have never hidden the fact that I have trees at the house. Did a lot of boasting about it really.
Just about the only real security system I have ever had was a motion light. That has seemed to work best no matter where I have lived.
I have found that most bonsai are stolen by kids. Not saying kids are bad ( I really like them) just stating the obvious. They are mostly doing that out of boredom and not for resale. The light seems to scare them off for the most part.
A lot of people in bonsai are a bit too paranoid about the theft issue. It does happen but, not all that often.
If I had to hide my bonsai I don't think that I would be doing them. Most of the joy would be gone. I like being called that "tree guy" and I like showing them off.
There is no big underground market for stolen bonsai. No organized bonsai mafia. And I refuse to live like there is one.
I would rather lose them all than to live in that prison. No joy there.

24-May-2004	#12
RonMartin(deceased) Bonsai nare-do-well Join Date: Jan-2003 Location: Summerville SC Country: USA USDA Zone: 8A AHS Heat Zone: 8 Posts: 4,653	Over the years I have had a few trees stolen. Mostly from the shop. Once at the house as far as I can remember. I have never hidden the fact that I have trees at the house. Did a lot of boasting about it really. Just about the only real security system I have ever had was a motion light. That has seemed to work best no matter where I have lived. I have found that most bonsai are stolen by kids. Not saying kids are bad ( I really like them) just stating the obvious. They are mostly doing that out of boredom and not for resale. The light seems to scare them off for the most part. A lot of people in bonsai are a bit too paranoid about the theft issue. It does happen but, not all that often. If I had to hide my bonsai I don't think that I would be doing them. Most of the joy would be gone. I like being called that "tree guy" and I like showing them off. There is no big underground market for stolen bonsai. No organized bonsai mafia. And I refuse to live like there is one. I would rather lose them all than to live in that prison. No joy there.