# What kind of bonsai tree is this?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bonsai-tree-is-this/496761>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 17, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bonsai-tree-is-this/496761 "2009-05-17T17:23:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![The\_Unkempt\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b782af/32.png) [@The\_Unkempt\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Unkempt_One)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bonsai-tree-is-this/496761/1 "2009-05-17T17:23:46Z")

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On a whim I bought a bonsai tree at Whole Foods yesterday. Unfortunately, the lady working in the floral department didn’t know what type of bonsai tree it was. I have since found that different types of trees require different types of care. So, below are links to pictures of my new tree that I hope someone will be able to identify.

Thanks!

[Pic 1](http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w120/Unkempt1_2007/Bonsai6.jpg)  
[Pic 2](http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w120/Unkempt1_2007/Bonsai5.jpg)  
[Pic 3](http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w120/Unkempt1_2007/Bonsai4.jpg)  
[Pic 4](http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w120/Unkempt1_2007/Bonsai3.jpg)  
[Pic 5](http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w120/Unkempt1_2007/Bonsai2.jpg)  
[Pic 6](http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w120/Unkempt1_2007/Bonsai1.jpg)

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**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bonsai-tree-is-this/496761/2 "2009-05-17T17:26:33Z")

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That is a Juniper. Most likely a Japanese Garden Juniper (Juniperous Procumbens “nana”) Make certain your watering is regular and that you place it in a bright, sunny location.

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**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-bonsai-tree-is-this/496761/3 "2009-05-17T19:32:34Z")

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And that you have a place to overwinter it; it’s not a house plant and will die if it’s kept indoors all year round. Where do you live?

And you know, of course, that bonsai trees aren’t just trees that stay small, like a miniature poodle? YOU have to keep them small. They are sculpted and dwarfed through human labor, like a Chinese courtesan’s feet.