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I n 2000 the Penrith City Star carried a story in their "Tall Tales" column about the world's biggest bonsai tree that was intended for Tench Park:
As a mark of friendship for our sister city, Fujieda, Penrith council propose a Japanese garden for Tench Reserve.
Spread over two hectares of river-front land, it would have all those features normally associated with such gardens – elaborate rockery, cherry trees, lanterns, running water, koi, peaceful walks and tinkling feng shui bells.
But the feature that makes it unique in the world of Japanese gardens will be a giant bonsai.
Standing twenty metres tall, the fully grown cypress will be the biggest bonsai in the world.
Council gardeners will be flown to Fujieda for training in its upkeep.
Because of its size it will not be necessary to obtain any special equipment. The tiny blades and shears normally used to trim bonsai plants will be passed over in favour of chain saws.
The experiment is being monitored carefully by publishers of the Guinness Book of World Records who will consider listing the giant bonsai along with such Australian icons as the Big Banana, the Big Merino and the Giant Prawn.
Eight years later, we're sad to relate that the Japanese Garden never eventuated but there's still good news for U3A members because now we have a bonsai class of our own.
Taught by the enthusiastic Jim Tiberi, Bon sai for Beginners is proving very popular with the students (my own wife comes home every week full of information and brimming with ideas and motivation). The course covers such things as:
There are only a handfull of students so far, so all you plant lovers still have the opportunity to become part of it and to learn something new.
And just think of the advantage: you don't have to worry about standing out with the hose on wintery Wednesdays and Sundays to water the things: you can practically do it with a thimble!
The class is held on Wednesday mornings at the Penrith School of Arts Hall and you can CLICK HERE for full details, or telephone Jim on 4735 1981.
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