This article was taken from Dave bogan’s ‘Bonsai by Design’ newsletter. The information presented is something we all must consider - ED.

Recently through some of my board memberships, I have become increasingly more knowledgeable about the illegal importation of trees for Bonsai. It is becoming a huge problem that few are aware of. It is a problem especially with sales through the internet and with small dealers. To start, I must state that I am not against the importation of trees or their need to be quarantined, and I DO believe we need laws and regulations for their importation. I do though feel the government needs to not only clarify the rules but to also make it easier for the individual to legally obtain trees from outside this country. This being said, with the advent of the internet, there has evolved several illegal practices. Individuals and businesses are selling trees that are totally illegal for sale in the U.S. Most all these trees are coming through Japan or China where they are cheap (&, yes, high quality in some cases). Believe me, Japan & China would sell their first born to make money, so don’t think for a minute they will help stop it. Many of these web sites or web sales sites will not show Japan or China as the originating point. One recent seller was buying trees in China but offering them for sale through Finland. I won’t mention his name but, as of May 1st he was stopped (stopped through pressure from the U.S. government). The huge problem is that our present laws do not allow for our government to go after these people in other countries. It does though allow them to go after YOU—if you purchase a tree illegally. The fines currently can run from $75. up to over $10,000, plus confiscation of the tree. In addition, IF they would happen to find evidence of a disease or insect on the trees, it could have additional devastating results. There is presently the case of a Bonsai enthusiast who obtained a bonsai which had evidence of a banned type of insect. In this case, the government came in and removed / cut down a full acre of vegetation. This included all trees and shrubs around this man’s home and adjacent woods. In other words, a whole acre of beautiful growth was totally destroyed. Now, stop and think what would your home look like with no trees, shrubs or Bonsai trees setting out back? Would that be worth the saving on an illegally purchased Bonsai?

There is also a large problem with vendors or businesses here in the U.S. who are selling illegal trees. Now there does exist laws through which the government can fine these companies (upwards of $20,000.) but here again, the government will also be very interested in any tree they sold to individuals. So, you need to know from whom you are buying.

The problem is also that this is affecting many of our legal importers and legitimate dealers. Many of you are “masters” in Bonsai. Much of this is due to money. In Japan, very few people actually work on their own trees. It’s more of business and/or investment in Japan. This is one area that I feel America is above Japan. I would venture to say 95% of Bonsai practitioners here in the states, do their own work, and keep their trees at their own home. We do this for our love of the “art” and the pride we receive from our trees. I have never understood how anyone could practice Bonsai but yet let someone else do all the work. People who allow others to do the work are really not practitioners; they are collectors - collectors of someone else’s hard work, dreams and pride. I doubt that Japan will ever recognize us as true Bonsai creators. But, in all honesty, do we really care? What many of you don’t know is the current law is a “pilot” program by the government. As of today, this program has been temporarily extended through 2010. After that point, no one knows what will happen. Unknown to most is the fact that if this program is eliminated, it could drastically impede the importation of Bonsai. Can you imagine how hard or expensive it will be to obtain a great tree at that point—IF it will even be possible. Now, you ask how does this affect me? Well as our legal businesses are affected, it drives up costs. Guess who pays these additional costs—YOU.

With all this said, again you might ask, why should I care? Stop and think why all the quarantine laws have been implemented. No matter how you feel, it’s all been done for OUR safety. We certainly don’t need new infestations of insects or diseases from 3rd world or poor countries. As much as we in the Bonsai community revere Japan & China, we must always remember, they are in the export business for the money. You may not think of Japan or China as poor or dirty countries but they are in many areas. Stop and think why some of these trees are so cheap. They’re worked on by people earning less than $5.00 per day in many cases. These same people live in poverty. Do you really think they abide by all the laws or worry about our health? Stop and think about the recent swine flu scares. We need to be very concerned these days with anything that is brought in.

Now, I know that many of you will say you have never or never will buy an illegal tree (yea right, that’s like asking if you have ever cheated on your tax returns). The problem now is many of you are unsure if the tree you bought over the internet is actually legal. Did you know, in this day and age, that if you order anything over the internet, your order can be tracked and your e-mail address could be an invitation to the government for perform a search of your property?

I know for a fact that the customers of the internet company that was recently shut down are now known to the government via their e-mail addresses. Did you order any trees lately that showed the tree being sent into this country from Finland? As mentioned, the company (overseas) will not be fined. The end buyer will be the one fined and possibly lose his trees. Great saving on that tree if it gets confiscated.

We in the Bonsai community need to put a stop to the illegal importation, but we also need to write our congressman and let them know we need an easier way to import our trees.

Anyone wishing to check out some of the Government regulation concerning plant importation, can check out the following websites; http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/ plant_health/content/printable_version/ faq_phact.pdf http://www.aphis.usda.gov/footer_items/ how_to_submit_a_foia_request.shtml http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/ manuals/ports/index.shtml
Remember, we need to stop illegal importation. In doing so, we will ultimately make it easier and, of course, healthier to import trees.

If you see or know of anyone obtaining trees illegally, please do the responsible thing and report agricultural smuggling on the government hotline 1- 800-877-3835.