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duartix

Yes Ron, I also think more along those lines. Personal collectors/artists have much more to fear than commercial nurseries which are probably more secured.

Treebay rose the security issue in a quote reply about nurseries so I also kept replying in a "as is" base, even though I felt that those who live on it, will welcome the publicity ...

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RonMartin(deceased)

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.

duartix

That's the only sain atitude, Ron!

Since you have a shop, I hope you don't mind me asking a question.

2 Months ago I was at Algarve on a weekend with my wife driving along the "Serra de Tavira" when I stumbled into a sign that said "Bonsai Garden". Knowing how bored and desperate she get's when I go inside a garden center, I drove trough...

But something kept itching, so a few minutes and a "OK, stop wining, let's go back!" later, I was turning back to take a peek.

I'm glad I did turn back because this guy Mathïs(?) Ybes(?) (I'm sorry I forgot his name, I have his card at home) had a wonderful place, with some great trees, tools, material, soil comp., pots, everything at around 1/3 to 1/2 the price I get them at LusoBonsai here in Lisbon.

To make a long story short, I think he's a dutch ex-pat who settled in Portugal about 7 years ago and . When he brought his collection, within 6 months all but a handfull of trees had died. He found out too late that the water from the well he had digged had lot of lime and a seriously wrong pH. Talk about learning lessons the hard way .
I don't even want to take a wild guess at how much he lost, put the sentimental value aside...

What I'm geting at is this:
People like him (and you too Ron) insure their trees?