what to do with a dead bonsai tree

 HOW TO RECYCLE DEAD BONSAI:

image source-Google image by-imistockphoto

Bonsai, which are small but live longer than humans if grown well, sometimes change their shape and change their owners to the first, second, third, and so on.

Bonsai, which is said to be more valuable as it becomes older, is the same as antiques and will be carefully managed over many years. But if somehow Bonsai tree is dead due to any reason than the most important question which arises in mind is what to do with the dead Bonsai tree.

CHECK YOUR BONSAI:

Before you think what to do with your dead bonsai you should first confirm that your bonsai tree is dead. Firstly, don’t get panic that your bonsai is dead because maybe your bonsai tree only loses its leaves due to any reason and you consider it as dead.

For this first take a close look under the bark to see a layer which is called cambium and present in all plants. check this layer if this layer is green in color than be happy because your bonsai is still alive and loses its leaves and will get back to life if you take very good care of your bonsai tree. 

But if you can't see the green color of cambium by scratching the top layer of the bar with your fingernail gently than your tree is most probably dead and cannot revive.

DEADWOOD BONSAI TECHNIQUE:

In some cases of an aged bonsai tree, only their wood may be dead but other parts remain alive. This deadwood can be caused due to any reason like pest infestation or any other kind of disease, for these bonsai trees, bonsai artists will help you to remove the deadwood from bonsai tree and give a new life to it. This is called the deadwood bonsai technique. 

WHAT TO DO WITH A DEAD BONSAI TREE:

Now when you have confirmed that your bonsai tree has no life in it and you don’t have any other option to bring your bonsai tree back to life than let’s talk about what are the options you have for this dead bonsai.

FOR ORNAMENTAL PURPOSE:

 If you love your bonsai than you can use it even after it becomes dead. You can use it as a decoration piece of your drawing room and even your bedroom or lounge.

First of all dust the bonsai with a brush.

Then paint 1 first coat of gold paint on the bonsai ( take newspaper and I recommend thin gloves to avoid getting your hands dirty). Be sure to paint the top and bottom of the branches well.

Leave to dry for 2 hours.

Apply a second coat and let a second coat dry.

Then once your bonsai is very dry ( wait for the next day) prepare the filling plaster: I take the filling plaster because it is just as practical as plaster and above all very solid, it is necessary when even that your bonsai stand up straight.

Then take a pot,  put in a good quantity of powder, and add water so as to obtain a thick porridge.

Now fill the holes in the bottom of the pot with a little aluminum foil and spread a layer of plaster, then position your bonsai and fill with the plaster.

Normally your bonsai will stand on its own if necessary wedge it against a wall.

Let dry for at least 24 hours.

Now left the plaster raw but you can paint it or even before it dries put small stones for example.

image source-Google image by-homemadesimplething

But if somehow your bonsai is not in that condition so you cannot use it for decoration purposes then you should think about the disposal of your bonsai tree properly.

CAN BONSAI TREE TREATED AS WASTE;

If it is unavoidable to dispose of dead bonsai, is it okay to dispose of it as general waste?

The answer is "no". In most municipalities, the large amount of soil in which bonsai is planted is treated as "waste" due to processing problems and is often not collected.

Large trees cannot be put out as general garbage, but they are treated in the same way as pruned branches of garden trees, and some local governments will collect them for free if they are cut into short pieces and tied with a string, so prior confirmation is required.

Some stores will pick up the soil, but there may be cases where you need to bring a receipt or the amount you can collect is limited.

There is also a method of requesting disposal from a specialized processor, but be careful because it is a paid service.

Reuse of old soil

In a house with a large garden, it can be buried on the premises, or it can be sterilized by sun-drying for 2 to 3 days and mixed with humus to be reused as soil for fields, flower beds, and planter plants.

Hard objects such as river sand can be basically reused, so wash and store them as much as possible.

Even if it is not used for bonsai soil, it can be used as a material for pot bottom stones and "sand beds" for small bonsai.

Reuse of dead bonsai

Withered trees can also be burned to ash without being put out as garbage and sown on the side of bonsai and garden trees, and can be reused as a substitute for "Kun ash" that neutralizes acidified soil.

The idea is that it can be used as a memorial service for dead trees by returning it to nature instead of putting it out as garbage.

However, burning garbage and wood in private homes is prohibited by law, and the smoke and gas generated can cause inconvenience and trouble in the neighborhood, so it seems difficult in reality.

Recently, the number of households that have fireplaces in their homes is increasing, especially in the suburbs, and some people are buying firewood. When disposing of a large number of dead trees, it may be a good idea to talk to them as long as they do not bother you.

CONCLUSION:

Having a bonsai tree as a hobby shows how patient and responsible a person is because the bonsai tree is a very time-consuming hobby which requires a long period of time and proper care to become a beautiful bonsai tree.

But if your tree somehow will not survive in this difficult process than what you can do  with your dead bonsai is

•  you can use it for decoration
• you can use its soil for another bonsai
• you can burn it and use it as Kun ash for your bonsai tree.