This grand old Baobab Bonsai is growing in the 'Bonsai King' Nursery near Vastfontein, north of Pretoria, South Africa. A wonderful Bonsai nursery, well worth a visit, not only for its Baobabs but also for the many magnificent Ficus and other Bonsai trees of all styles and sizes.

This Baobab had been growing in the gardens of the school in Louis Trichardt, a town established in 1898 at the foot of the Soutpansberg, Northern Province, RSA. It probably got battered and broken over and over again by several generations of school children.

12 years ago, in 1989, it was dug up and moved to the nursery by the late Nick Pieterse, and has been in training since then.

This tree is believed to be the oldest Baobab Bonsai in cultivation. Between 175 and 225 years is the estimated age, according to the late Professor Kristo Pienaar, former Head of the Department of Botany at the University of the Western Cape and author of various books on indigenous plants.Its weight is not known, but it took 6 men to move it to its current location. It's growing in a molded fiber glass bowl which is not all that heavy.

The Baobab has up to now only produced simple or tri-foliate leaves, never 5. Some photos of the tree in leaf will follow in mid-summer.

The younger Baobab trees are estimated to be between 45 and 60, perhaps even up to 80 years old.

In addition to the magnificent Adansonia digitatas at this nursery, there are hundreds of other equally beautiful bonsai, ranging from different species of Acacias, Ficus, and even a rose!

Note: Photographs of this plant, and many others at the Bonsai King Nursery can be viewed at the Fat Plants Bonsai site. Bonsai King Nursery | Baobab Bonsai