Giant Bonsai

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.