Stolen Trees

Hi

Although I've visited this site many times this is my first post. Unfortunately it's not a good one; last night I had some very valuable trees stolen from my garden - 5 were taken (4 chuhin, 1 shohin) and despite that I still think I got lucky as the thief seems to have been scared off midway as one tree was left next to the wall in the garden near the spot he broke in. The trees were all in training and very valuable. Whoever took them seems to know what they wanted as they selected 4 of my best junipers and one cork bark elm. The tree left behind was a black pine. Anyway, am attaching pictures of them just in case anyone happens to come across them or someone tries to sell them.











I've reported it to the police (and I have a lead) but am obviously worried as they know the quality of trees I have and can easily return to take more. I am in the West Yorkshire area so would be grateful if anyone in this area in particular could keep an eye out. Any advice would be appreciated but I understand there's not much I can do.

(Apologies if this is in the wrong thread)

Regards
Imran

Hello Imran. So so sorry to hear of your loss. Hope your lead comes through and they catch the bastards. There are many members in the Yorkshire area, and I'm sure they will keep an eye out for you.

This is terrible. I hope you get your trees back.

Judging by the quality of the material stolen, and the fact that they where not all in expensive looking pots, tell me that these where stolen for the trees themselves (often trees are stolen for the pots). That means that it was done by someone that could appreciate the value of unfinished material and knew you had it.

If I where in your spot, I'd start looking at members of my own club, sad to say. Who else would know about your unfinished bonsai?

Hope this person gets caught.

Ed

Hi Will,

I've only just moved back to this area and don't have any bonsai contacts but will try and check with Newstead and John Armitage guys and spread the word.

Hi Ed,

Thanks, I hope they return (the first itoigawa in particular was a fave) but don't hold out much hope. Yes, the thief knew what he liked - the more traditional bonsai species. I have numerous other types but these were the ones picked out although maybe if he had had more time who knows. As I said above, I 've only recently moved to this area and am not a member of any clubs and have kept a very low profile so hardly anyone knows I have trees. But i received a couple of trees by courier yesterday and the driver realised and asked a couple of questions so have my suspicions...(police have been informed).

I'm relatively new to bonsai so this is a real kick in the nuts.

I hope you get the trees back and that the thieves are caught. Unfortunately, it is a bit difficult in many instances, to get law enforcement too interested in stolen trees, considering all the other things they have to worry about these days.

Can I suggest getting a small, yappy terrier, or a large hungry Rotweiller. Either would have a considerable deterrent value.

Really sorry to hear about this. Personally I would have waited until your lead panned out before going too public with this. If they get wind of it, the trees could be dumped of stashed well away from the person you suspect. However now it's out there, everyone should spread the word where they can. Facebook, blogs, club sites etc. I'll add it to mine, you never know where trees will turn up. Hope everyone else in the UK does the same for you.

Hope you get some joy, hanging's too good for them!!

Thanks alot Ian, very grateful for your help.

Never thought about the going public too early aspect and warning the thief but thought if the message got out asap it may help in case they tried to move them on quickly to genuine bonsai people who weren't aware they were stolen.

Thanks Jim

My neighbour actually has a little terrier which may have scared the thief off midway but I think you're right about law enforcement - not had much luck with them yet and can't imagine they will put much effort into this.

It's heartbreaking when I put myself in your shoes. I'm glad the damage/loss was limited due to the dog or whatever it was that scared them off. I wish you the best in recovering the trees but at least as important, keeping your head up and continuing to bonsai like this never happened. Best of luck!

I hope you find it, good luck!

I too am so sorry to hear of your loss. Can't print what I would like to see done to the culprits.

As with Ian, I too will include this on my site. It gets hundreds of daily hits so just maybe it might help. I will link back to this thread.

Think about getting all your trees chipped; I know it won't stop them being stolen but it makes identification simple if found.

Salaam Imran bhai,

Hope you're well. Really sorry to hear about the loss. It has happened with me before so i can very well understand how you must be feeling.
I just hope and pray that you get them back.

How've you been? Never heard from you since BoBB. You said you'll send me an email and some pictures but guess you got busy.

take care,

Regards,

Faisal

Jesse, Jota, thanks for your messages. The support from you guys really helps.

Thanks alot Mike, very grateful for your help. And if it helps prevent someone from buying stolen goods (or the tieves benefiting from stealing trees) that would be something. I will look into how to get them chipped and other security measures - the main problem was I've just moved home and didn't get round to securing everything as I was planning.

Faisal bhai, yes I'm absolutely fuming. It's a heck of a lot worse than having your telly or something nicked.

I've been pretty good until today, just doing alot of DIY and decorating. I sent you an email soon after BoBB with some pictures including one of the trees that got stolen (it was one I'd done a fair bit of work on recently and was coming along really well which just makes it worse). Must have gone to your junk folder. Let me know if you don't have it and will send you some more although my enthusiasm for bonsai has taken a real hit today. I was planning on showing you the deadwood sabina that got stolen but not now. Anyway, how are you doing - will hopefully meet up soon?

This shohin Crab Apple was taken as well.



Could I just ask anyone one in the Yorkshire area to please keep an eye out at local markets/car boot sales. And as trees taken need plenty of development they may well turn up at a workshop if somone buys them without realising their stolen.

Thanks
Imran