My Daimyo Oak turned 65 this year. I will show it at the SBBK club show for the last time in my name as it moves to a new owner later in June. As I have gotten older, I have recognized the need to pass legacy trees on to younger skilled bonsai talent. Thus it is time for me to let the ‘King’ of my collection go to a new home.

I purchased this tree from auction at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt in 2009 as a stump. Few knew its legacy. The tree began as an acorn carried from Japan in 1959 and planted in January 1960. Pete Sugawara from the Kusamura Club started this tree on its journey. Years later after his passing it was donated to BGLM. It did OK there but there was another more important example of a Daimyo Oak there already and it was much more impressive. I was working at the garden all those many years ago caring for this little gem. I learned its legacy, studied its grow requirement and care.

When I saw it at auction, I decided I had to get it for my collection. It was a bare stump on that February day and did not show its uniqueness. I purchased it for $150 at the live auction. It came to my home and I repotted it in a better pot and have brought it though the years. Sixteen years later it is the gorgeous example of the species. It is rare, few exist. I wish it and its new owners well for many years into the future.