Gifted bonsai tree rehomed in Miyazu Garden

An estimated 80-year-old bonsai tree (Ponderosa Pine) gifted to Nelson City Council by the Nelson Bonsai Club has found a new home in Miyazu Garden. 

The bonsai started its life at Jim Sharland's Nursery, which spanned New Street between 77 and 90 years ago. It was gifted to the Nelson Bonsai Club about 27 years ago, where it was carefully tended by the same two members of the club. A Scottish bonsai artist reshaped it into its current form when visiting Nelson for a bonsai conference in the early 2000’s.

There are now two bonsai trees in the Miyazu Garden, the first being Jim's Pine, a 59-year-old bonsai which overhangs Dragon Pond, that also started life at Jim Sharland's Nursery. 

Throughout its long life, the bonsai has only been re-potted and moved a handful of times. Great care was taken to avoid disrupting the tree’s roots while it was moved, and it now resides beside the tranquil top pond.