There are tons of interesting bonsai trees across the globe made and cared for by various bonsai artists—and several of these holds the title of the most expensive, biggest, smallest, and oldest bonsai tree in the world.

If you want to discover some of the best and talk-about record-breaking bonsai masterpieces displayed in some of the most famous bonsai gardens worldwide…

Continue reading to know:

• The top 6 known oldest miniature trees in the world.
• The top 3 known biggest bonsai trees in the world.
• The top 5 most expensive bonsai trees in the world.
• The top 2 known smallest bonsai trees in the world.
• And a lot more…

Oldest Bonsai Trees in the World

1. 1000-year-old Ficus Retusa Linn

Photo courtesy of K-Ble Jungle

The oldest miniature tree in the world is the Ficus Retusa Linn which is over 1000 years old.

It’s the centerpiece at the Crespi Bonsai Museum, Italy—displayed in a glass pagoda with other important bonsai pieces.

It took Luigi Crespi, the founder of the museum, ten years to gain ownership of this ficus bonsai from the care of Chinese masters where it came from. Then, in its first year in Italy in 1986, master Shotaro Kawahara shaped the tree into what it’s today.

Due to its old age and great shape, the Crespi ficus bonsai received several prestigious awards, including the “Honorary Prize” during the Euroflora 1986.

2. 1000-year-old Sargent Juniper Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of William N. Valavanis

The oldest bonsai tree in Japan is the Sargent juniper bonsai—tested and proven to be 1000 years old. Enthusiasts can view this bonsai at the Mansei-en bonsai nursery, owned by the Kato family, in Omiya Bonsai Village, Japan.

It was collected in the wild and passed on for decades to many artists, including the world-renowned bonsai master Masahiko Kimura.

3. 800-year-old Shimpaku Juniper Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of Cheesie

Also known as “shimpaku seifu,” this shimpaku juniper bonsai tree age is about 800 years old—making it to the top 5 of the list.

It’s currently at the Shunka-en Bonsai Museum, Japan, under the care of bonsai master Kunio Kobayashi.

4. 800-year-old Juniper Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of William N. Valavanis

Shunkaen Bonsai Museum is home to two of the oldest bonsai trees in the world, the second being also a juniper.

This 800-year-old tree is popular for its great taper and deadwood that add interest to the tree.

5. 600-year-old Red Pine Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of Pacifist

This gigantic and iconic red pine bonsai age is about 600 years old. Many local and foreign tourists visit this huge bonsai at the Akao Herb & Rose Garden in Shizuoka, Japan.

Due to its old age and size, it became one of the world’s most famous and recognized bonsai trees. 

6. 500-year-old Japanese White Pine Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of The Shikoku Shimbun

The last oldest miniature tree in this list is this Japanese white pine or five-needle pine bonsai, which is about 500 years old.

Known as “Sandai shogun no matsu,” this goyomatsu bonsai is permanently at the Tokyo Imperial Palace Collection in Japan.

Aside from its age, this particular ancient tree is popular for its rich history. Many Japanese emperors have cared for this bonsai masterpiece of masterpieces for several decades, including the third shogun Tokugawa Iemetsu—making it one of Japan’s national treasures.

Most Expensive Bonsai Trees in the World

1. $2-million-worth Sargent Juniper Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of William N. Valavanis

Since it’s one of the oldest bonsai trees, it only makes sense that this 1000-year-old bonsai tree at Mansei-en Bonsai Nursery is very expensive. 

According to various sources, this Japanese bonsai, under the care of the Kato family, costs 2 million US dollars.

2. $1.3-million-worth Japanese White Pine Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of William N. Valavanis

This 300-year-old five-needle pine bonsai by S-Cube was auctioned for 1.3 million US dollars during the 11th Asia Pacific Bonsai & Suiseki Convention and Exhibition in 2011—making it the second known most expensive bonsai in the world.

A Japanese private collector from Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, bought it outside the event.

3. $1-million-worth Japanese White Pine Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of the National Bonsai Foundation

This list can’t go on without mentioning Japan’s iconic 400-year-old Yamaki pine bonsai tree.

Masaru Yamaki donated it in 1976 as one of the US bicentennial 53-specimen gifts. Then, in 2001, the tree’s history was uncovered when Yamaki’s grandchildren visited the bonsai and told its background.

Today, the Yamaki pine is known worldwide as the Japanese bonsai tree that survived the Hiroshima atomic bomb attack in 1945 during World War II.

This bonsai tree is permanently at the National Arboretum, specifically at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, in Washington, DC.

4. $1-million-worth Shimpaku Juniper Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of Cheesie

One of the old bonsai trees above is also one of the million-worth bonsai trees worldwide.

Like the Yamaki pine bonsai, this shimpaku juniper bonsai from the Shunka-en garden in Omiya, Japan, costs 1 million US dollars.

5. $730k-worth Chinese Quince Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of William N. Valavanis

As you may know by now, the Shunkaen garden in Omiya, Japan, is home to several expensive bonsai trees, including this one.

This Chinese quince bonsai (Karin zyonomai) is popular for its great taper and wide surface roots. It costs 100 million yen, approximately 730,000 US dollars today.

Check out: 9 Reasons why bonsai trees are so expensive

Biggest Bonsai Trees in the World

1. 16-ft tall Red Pine Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of Pacifist

The largest category of bonsai trees is called “Imperial bonsai,” which measures between 5-7 ft. However, this gigantic red pine bonsai in Japan goes beyond that limit.

This large 16-ft red pine bonsai displayed at the Akao Herb & Rose Garden in Shizuoka, Japan, is considered the biggest bonsai tree in the world.

2. 10-ft tall Ficus Retusa Linn Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of K-Ble Jungle

The second known biggest bonsai in the world is the Crespi ficus bonsai in Italy. It’s approximately 10 ft tall and 9 ft wide.

Since it’s the museum’s centerpiece and significantly larger than typical bonsai trees, it’s at the center of the museum’s glass pagoda.

3. 7-ft tall Ficus Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of Enrique Castano

There’s also a large ficus bonsai in Taiwan that’s about 7 ft tall. It’s in a huge bonsai pot that covers a large area in the open garden.

Smallest Bonsai Trees in the World

1. Acer Momiji Bonsai Tree 

Photo courtesy of BonsaiGuestHouse Osaka

Many in the bonsai community recognize this Acer Momiji in Japan as the smallest bonsai globally. It stands at only a few centimeters and can be lifted by a finger.

As of today, this tiny bonsai is awaiting a Guinness Book of Records listing.

2. 1.5-cm Rubber Plant Bonsai Tree

Photo courtesy of VN Express

Vietnam also houses some of the smallest bonsai in the world, including this 1.5-cm tall rubber plant specimen.

It’s cultivated by Vietnamese record-holder Nguyen Van Phung, who has a huge collection of miniature trees and penjing landscapes.

Conclusion

Although bonsai growing is considered a huge part of Japanese culture, some of the best bonsai trees can be found outside Japan.

Moreover, regardless of the tree’s size, species, or age, this list only proves that any oldest bonsai tree can become valuable when cared for properly for decades.

If you also want to grow an award-winning bonsai tree, visit www.hookedonbonsai.com.