Reasons not to keep your bonsai tree on the ground

There are many reasons not to keep your bonsai tree on the ground, but rather, on a shelf or table. There are many places that have bonsai trees for sale, and knowing where to put your bonsai after you purchase it is key to the health and prosperity of the tree. On windy days, many beginners fear that their tree will be blown off a shelf by the wind and be severely injured. Wind can cause a significant of damage to a bonsai tree and you should be careful on windy days, but do not place the tree on the ground – pick another location. Placing the tree and pot on the ground could possibly result in both the pot and the leaves becoming muddy. If the leaves are muddy, they will not be able to receive adequate sunlight, which could wither the leaves and ruin the appearance of your bonsai for some time. Also, earthworms are a common problem when trees are left on the ground because they can easily enter the pot through the drainage holes on the bottom. Containers on the ground are also more difficult to suitably care for. For example, if the bonsai is left on a rock, stone, tile, brick, or concrete, the roots of the tree can be severely damaged from the strong heat of summer or cold temperatures in the winter. Lastly, a bonsai on the ground is much more likely to be knocked over and damaged, whether by you or a dog or cat, because it is often easy to forget they are under your feet. I had a good friend a couple of years ago that put a 32 year old Japanese Maple on the ground for two days, and was then totally destroyed because his dog thought it was a chew toy. Needless to say, he doesn’t put his bonsai trees on the ground anymore. I have also heard stories of dogs urinating on trees. The best place to keep a bonsai trees for sale is on a table or shelf that is made of thick wood.