By Thomas L. Zane

The life of a bonsai in Japan often is perpetuated by being cared for by successive generations, by nurserymen or others. In the West we do not have the luxury of reliable generations to care for our trees when we no longer can. Bonsai should be preserved for the whole of their natural lives in order that future generations will be able to enjoy and to appreciate them in just the same way that we are able to enjoy and marvel at the great and ancient bonsai of Japan.

The American Bonsai Society's contingency program to cater for bonsai in need is called "Bonsai for the 21st Century and Beyond" and is designed to be executed on a member society or individual member basis.

The program provides immediate help in the event of bereavement, emigration or in any other situation when the bonsai may be under threat. It can often be embarrassing and a bit tricky knowing just how to offer help without appearing to be a vulture on the fence waiting to snap up the bonsai when the owner can no longer be a care giver. But without this offer, nothing may be done and the bonsai are neglected or die or revert to type and lose their bonsai form. This of course is tragic.

The Program

1. Bonsai owners are encouraged to make prearrangements concerning the disposition of their bonsai when they no longer are able to care for them.
2. The family of a seriously ill bonsai owner is encouraged to contact an ABS member or club to request assistance in arranging for the caring of the bonsai until the owner's illness is resolved or until a decision is made on the disposition of the bonsai.
3. The family of a recently deceased bonsai owner is encouraged to contact an ABS member or club to request assistance in arranging for the caring of the deceased owner's bonsai until a decision is made on the disposition of the bonsai.
4. ABS members, who become aware of a bonsai owner's incapacitation or death, are encouraged to contact the family to offer assistance in arranging for the caring of the bonsai and, if necessary, to advise on and to assist with appropriate disposition of the collection. Advice and assistance can be obtained by contacting the ABS Executive Secretary.
5. The family of a seriously ill or recently deceased bonsai owner, who does not know of a local bonsai enthusiast, is encouraged to contact the ABS Executive Secretary for assistance.
6. The ABS Executive Secretary has a list of resource volunteers who have agreed to coordinate the providing of whatever assistance is necessary. When a request is received it will be forwarded to a resource volunteer.

Some Options

There are various options available to local clubs or individual members who volunteer to help when the primary bonsai caretaker is no longer available:

1. The collection can be left in place and cared for by local members until final disposition.
2. The collection can be dispersed amongst members in the local area who will care for them until final disposition.
3. The collection can be moved to a nursery for care pending final disposition.
4. All or part of the collection can be:
• Left in place and sold by the owner in a yard or estate sale.
• Given by its owner to family members and bonsai friends.
• Given to the custody of the local bonsai club to be auctioned or sold with all or part of the funds going to the club.
• Disposed of by donation to regional, national or international bonsai organizations for auction or raffle.
• Consigned to a bonsai vendor/nursery for sale.
• Donated to a permanent collection.