importing bonsai

i am of to japan in feb for the kokufu show and doing some nurserys on a bonsai tour with japan journeys.
my questions are. can i bring some trees back to the uk only about 3/4 via airfreight.
whats a rough figure on airfreight charges. can i have them sent to me or do they have to go into
quarantine first. i was looling at maybe a pine/trident maple/azalea/juniper. not sure which nurserys
we are going to but if somebody knows or can recommend a nursery to ship from i would appreciate it
have been doing bonsai for 10yrs + so not new bonsai. looking forward to any replys.

Dave. I think there are huge problems with the importing of bonsai from Asia at present.I would have a word with your nearest nursery/ importer to get better detail. You could get back to the UK, only to have them confiscated and destroyed.

[quote="will baddeley"]Dave. I think there are huge problems with the importing of bonsai from Asia at present.I would have a word with your nearest nursery/ importer to get better detail. You could get back to the UK, only to have them confiscated and destroyed.[/quote]

especially these ones


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Is that Cannabis Sativa formal uprights?

Back in 2007 I had one of my trees selected for the Ginkgo show in Belgium. Its an English Elm and its always been a bit slow to grow and just lethargic.The show was due to take place in September[not a good time for deciduous trees] so I thought I'd leaf prune slightly later so the leaves looked fresher in the show.Bad move!! All the buds started to swell but only a third decided to produce leaves. I started to panic, thought to myself, what about increasing failing light levels? Grow lights....Where do I get.....Hydroponics shop. Called into one and started talking about different types and wattage.Finally picked a bulb, I thought was suitable and handed over some cash. Did'nt mention it was for bonsai until he gave me a receipt and the owner went quiet. As I left he said to me " Do you know, your probably the first legitimate customer I've sold to in the seven years I've been in business!!!!"
Light did'nt work, had to take tree naked.

Dave, the answer to your question about the ease of getting trees into the UK from Japan just now is that it is virtually impossible as a trader never mind as a private individual.

I suggest you speak to someone like John Armitage or Peter Warren for more details. Another contact is Douglas Smith at Wattston Bonsai in Scotland who is about the only person I know of with a consignment due. But as Will points out, the "inspection" process at import can be a destructive one. Dougie will be happy to give you advice but be warned - he's a good Scot who could sell coal to a Geordie (sorry Bobby).

I am sorry to interrupt Dave's genuine enquiry here, but I've just a wee concern over this thread veering even vaguely in the direction of the "alternative methods" of bringing trees into the UK that we all know happen. Obviously this forum and the IBC can't condone any hint or suggestion of that sort of illegal activity (or any sort in fact), even if it is only in jest. Apologies if that sounds a bit OTT, but we know how easily these things can be misrepresented, misunderstood or get out of hand.

Thanks for your understanding.

Sorry Fiona. Of course I do not condone the use of illegal drugs. I work for the Probation service, mainly with ex prisoners on licence. A number have huge issues around drugs and I see the harm this causes at first hand.

Sorry folks. My fault

I'd had a tad too much of the highly dangerous and very popular legal drug named stella artois last night.

bobby little wrote: I'd had a tad too much of the ... stella artois last night.

Them Belgians know a thing or three about makin' beer. I shall be warned for when I'm over at Noelanders in January.

Actually I remember going to Belgium on a school exchange visit (yeah I know - hunnerts of years ago now) and one of the official visits was to the main Stella brewery in Leuven. I can't help but think that the authorities in Scotland would throw their official hands up in horror if a school over here even suggested that they take visiting school kids to Tennent-Caledonian breweries or a distillery.

I love the more relaxed approach to life they have over there in mainland Yurrup!

Reminds me of my first job when I was training in a local governments architects department. A colleague was told he couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery, so he did. We had an excellent outing to the now defunct Wrexham Lager Brewery. Which for a 17 year old was illegal but highly enjoyable!

Don't worry Bobby, no harm done.

When I went on the first Japan Journeys trip in 2006 I had an absolutely excellent time. Just make sure you take enough very large storage cards for your camera as they were surprisingly expensive out there. A couple of 4Gb ones should see you right!

I would also urge you not to attempt to bring back any live material. Seeds are fine though, I bought back selected Japanese Black pine seeds and their viability was second to none. You will have an excellent time but don't be tempted to try collecting seed yourself as I did. They have nasty biting millipedes that can hide inside cones! My foot 3 days after being bitten.

Oh please. I'd just settled down to my brunch!

Do you shave your legs Kev??!!

Actually Will, your post was a cause for examination of the facts. I do wonder whether the poisons could have caused later hair loss problems

Poisons??!! Looks more like a shaving rash to me! Hope its not catching.....damn!! ....too late!!

strikes me as more of a waxing man. the david beckham of bonsai

bobby little wrote:strikes me as more of a waxing man. the david beckham of bonsai

By the look of him I'd say waneing!