In the recent post about Arthur have a stone missing and others posting
of thefts I would like to ask a question? Is this a typical compulsion
(meaning does it apply to other hobbies arts) or is it only with bonsai.

Over the past year I have encountered several bonsai enthusiasts that
were 'bonsai crazy' for a lack of better words. They have lots of money,
very intelligent, careers and have made many expensive purchases in the
past but for some reason had to steal some trees. The trees that were
stolen had no significant or distinguishing characteristics.
This past weekend a regular customer of the local bonsai nursery went
weird, he was hucking bonsai trees over the fence beside his parked
truck in broad daylight with other customers watching him. He was trying
to fill his pickup with trees without paying for them. The RCMP came and
had the guy in handcuffs but later let him go after he said he would pay
for all of the trees he threw over the fence. The bill came to a few
thousand dollars. Not only that he went back into the store with the
Mounties accompanying him and bought several pots and bags of soil.
There is more he also had a tree with him that he stole the day before,
pruned it, repotted it and then brought it back and asked if the tree
was any good.

I have seen people spend several thousand dollars for a few trees and
then steal a couple of $50 trees all at the same time. They spend hours
sneaking these $50 trees out of the nursery. Switching price tags is
also very popular.

Go figure.

Anton

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