Grandpa’s Bonsai

Cruiser

Chumono
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Location
Western Washington
USDA Zone
8a
Grandpa served in the Pacific Theatre in WWII. He was an LVT operator responsible for carrying troops and equipment ashore.
It was that period of his life where he learned the existence of bonsai.

After the war Grandpa returned to Boston, built a house, and settled into domestic life as a father and union worker.
He tried to teach himself bonsai but never got the hang of it. Trees died under his care because he did not have access to resources or people who would guide him. Also, he was busy raising 5 kids!
At some point in the 70s or 80s, my mom pity-gifted him two bonsais he could not kill. One of them is this “tree” here.
I remember playing with it as a kid 30 years ago. Now it is under my care.

The paper trunk and wires are unravelling, plastic needles are dropping, it’s caked in dust and embedded with cat hair; but I still love it.
The container appears to be a real bonsai pot. Once its current occupant disintegrates, I’ll honor grandpa by planting a real tree within.

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