New to the Museum

The Clark Bonsai Museum is honored to welcome an extraordinary Korean Hornbeam to its collection, a tree whose history spans nearly a century and connects directly to an important chapter in the development of bonsai in California.

Originally imported from Japan by renowned bonsai artist Tatamori Gondo, this tree arrived in the United States in 1997. Today, due to modern agricultural restrictions, the importation of a bonsai of this caliber is virtually impossible.

According to bonsai artist Scott Chadd, who acquired the tree in 2003, Gondo-san estimated the tree to be 70–80 years old when it arrived in the United States. Created by fusing seven young Korean Hornbeams into a single composition and allowing them to grow together over decades, the tree is now approaching its 100th year as a bonsai.

Over the years, it has been recognized as one of the finest Korean Hornbeams in the United States, admired for its powerful trunk, exceptional ramification, and compelling seasonal character.

For the Clark Bonsai Museum, this acquisition represents far more than the addition of an exceptional tree. It preserves a living piece of bonsai history and ensures that future generations can experience a work of art that reflects decades of dedication, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange.

The Korean Hornbeam will be featured in the museum’s upcoming exhibition, offering visitors an opportunity to experience firsthand a tree that embodies both the passage of time and the enduring legacy of bonsai artistry.