Dramatic Deadwood Kishu Shimpaku — 40-Year-Old Specimen Pre-Bonsai

A Remarkable 40-Year-Old Kishu Shimpaku with Incredible Deadwood

Due to USDA regulations, we cannot ship Junipers to California.

Started from a cutting in 1986, this Kishu Shimpaku has been alive and cared for for approximately 14,630 days. Think about that for a moment: 14,630 days of someone showing up, checking the soil and giving this tree what it needed to continue growing. At its current price, that history works out to only about 15 cents per day.

Trees are incredible—and this is exactly the kind of tree that reminds me why.

This specimen pre-bonsai already possesses the qualities that take decades to create: a powerful trunk, beautiful movement, mature bark, dramatic deadwood, a defined live vein and compact Kishu foliage. The contrast between the living vein and weathered wood gives the trunk tremendous character before its future design has even begun.

This tree has been opened up so you can clearly see its trunk and branch structure, but it has not been wired into a final design. That makes it an especially exciting opportunity for someone who wants to style an exceptional tree themselves, bring it to a workshop or develop it alongside a bonsai professional.

The difficult part, the decades of growing, watering and patient development, has already been done. Its next owner gets to decide where the story goes from here.

Our collection of mature Kishu Shimpaku was largely acquired from Gerald Rainville. Some of these trees remain completely raw, while others, like this one, have been selectively opened to reveal their trunks and branching. As we continue to style and refine them, their prices will increase to reflect that additional development.

These are not young nursery plants that can be quickly replaced. They are scarce, mature specimens with approximately four decades behind them. We typically sell one or two trees from this collection each week. Once they have found their new homes, we cannot simply order another group of 40-year-old Kishu Shimpaku.

This tree is also the perfect size. It is substantial enough to create the feeling and presence of an old mountain juniper, yet compact enough to move, display and enjoy. Its established branch options leave plenty of room for creativity, while its aged trunk provides a compelling foundation for a serious future bonsai.

You will receive the exact tree shown in the photographs.

Tree Details

• Species: Kishu Shimpaku Juniper
• Botanical name: Juniperus chinensis ‘Kishu’
• Classification: Specimen pre-bonsai
• Propagation: Started from a cutting in 1986
• Age: Approximately 40 years
• Height: 18 inches from the soil to the apex
• Spread: Approximately 18 inches
• Container: 12.5-inch mica training pot
• Development: Opened to reveal the trunk and branch structure; not wired into a final design
• Location: Massachusetts
• Photographed: July 20, 2026

Shipping Confidence

This tree ships from our Massachusetts nursery and will be carefully packed to protect its dramatic trunk, branches, roots, soil and mica training pot during transit.

Minor foliage or soil displacement can occur while a bonsai is boxed and transported. Seasonal growth may also change the tree’s appearance from what is shown in the July 20 photographs.

Give the tree suitable outdoor light, water it carefully and allow it time to adjust to its new environment. Kishu Shimpaku is an outdoor bonsai and should not be grown indoors.

Please Note

All trees are sold as-is. All sales are final—no refunds, returns or exchanges. Once the tree leaves our nursery, its care is your responsibility. Have questions? Just reach out—we’re happy to help.