Brussel's Bonsai Live Chinese Elm Bonsai Tree, Outdoor - Medium, 7 Years Old, 8 to 10 inches Tall - Includes Decorative Ceramic Bonsai Pot

Tldr: - Affordable price ($23.31 shipped w/ prime) - Protected & in cardboard box labeled "live plant" w/ styrofoam packing peanuts - Fast, 3 day shipping (ordered 12/5, arrived 12/8) - Healthy & tall (11"-12" tall including pot; the trunk & leaves measure between 8"-9" excluding the pot) - Care guide included - Highly recommend & would definitely buy from Brussel's Botanicals again I ordered this Chinese elm bonsai (5 y/o, 6"-8") for my landscaper brother-in-law's birthday next week & am genuinely amazed! It arrived so fast it only took 3 days to ship cross-country from Kentucky to Northern Idaho! This is my first time buying a live bonsai, let alone ordering one online so I was worried it might arrive damaged or perhaps not the style I prefer (uniquely, I was hoping for the trunk to be shaped like an "S" to stand for his last name & son's first name). I was beyond excited to see the bonsai arrive w/a distinguished "S" shaped trunk. I was also thrilled to see a few leaves in one spot that are red since that's his favorite color (& part of the reason I chose the Chinese elm was for the seasonal leaf color changes). Overall, the shape of the branches & the leaves look gorgeous & healthy (tbh, the pics/vids don't even really do it justice since I took them in dark lighting at night). I imagine it arrived so healthy cause the soil is nice & moist. It was securely packaged in a cardboard box filled w/styrofoam peanuts. The people responsible for packaging my bonsai actually placed the peanuts inside the tree branches to guarantee the leaves were protected during transit!! (Thank you so much Brussel's Botanicals for mindful packaging!!) While unpacking the peanuts, I did lose 2 leaves but that was entirely my fault! Overall, the tree itself proved to be sturdy during transit considering 0 leaves or branches broke off & it was relatively easy to unpack. The height is also excellent since the trunk & leaves reach between 8"-9"H alone. Overall, the bonsai + grower's pot is around 11"-12"H. I selected the grower's pot so my BIL could bond w it while repotting or planting in the ground. We live in zone 6b & google said it was a good choice for the climate, being able to survive outdoors in -10°F to -20°F, but may require extra attention to protect against wind, frozen soil, etc. Nonetheless, I'm glad he'll have indoor & outdoor options for placement. I believe my BIL has experience caring for full-grown Chinese elm's but the company actually included a care guide pamphlet for the bonsai as well (which I'm relieved I can include in the gift jic he does have questions. Plus the care guide would be necessary for someone like me who doesn't have a green thumb but appreciates the art of the bonsai). I'm excited to give him such a healthy, gorgeous bonsai that includes all the aesthetic qualities I was hoping for & a care guide!! I'm so impressed w this company & the perfect condition of the bonsai I received that I'd buy again in a heartbeat! (I'm even tempted to buy one for myself even though I have ZERO green thumb abilities lol).

Beautiful and packed well. Looks styled way better than in the sample picture. Mostly green leaves while being shipped in freezing temperatures means this bonsai was taken care of very well before shipping. Ordered the small and got a tree that is 10 inch in height from the soil, much appreciated! Fast shipping in the winter was much needed before the storm hit.

Came in quickly, autumn color leaves, nice surprise. Packed nicely. Healthy, the tree is in my outdoor greenhouse very happy. Thank you

(1 star for surviving the delivery apocalypse) Let me start by saying: I’ve never felt such a complex emotional bond with a plant. When my bonsai arrived, the box looked like it had survived a WWE cage match with a forklift. I opened it expecting either enlightenment or an angry squirrel. Instead, I found what can only be described as a tiny haunted forest spirit who’s seen too much. The leaves, which were supposed to be lush and green, are instead a delightful shade of existential brown. They crunch when you breathe near them — not from freshness, but from despair. I gently tried to prune one and it disintegrated in my hand like Thanos had just snapped. The pot? Oh, the pot. It’s not just uneven — it leans like it’s trying to escape the entire situation. It wobbles dramatically, as if to say, “Why are any of us even here?” When I tried to water the tree, all the water flowed to one side and promptly flooded the table, which, I must admit, was the most action this bonsai has seen in weeks. The instructions said “Place in indirect sunlight,” but I think what it really needed was an exorcism and maybe a motivational speech. In conclusion, I bought this bonsai to bring serenity into my life. Instead, I got a small, crispy reminder of life’s fleeting nature and a pot that moonlights as a seesaw. Would I recommend it? Only if you enjoy chaos, irony, and plants that look like they just came back from a bad vacation in Mordor. Namaste, I guess.

Tree has never been shaped and pruned. Tree is starting to show signs of new growth after defoliation

EXCELLENT BONSAI TREE, BEAUTIFUL TRUNK SHAPE AND VERY WELL PLACED BRANCHES. THIS ELM WILL BE A JOY TO WORK WITH. BILL

My husband is obcessed with any form of bonsai. This was packaged well, looks amazing and the color is so vivid. Im so happy it arrived in these cold temps with no damage.

This little tree is beautiful, better than I expected. It arrived in perfect condition, packed in an ample sized box filled with popcorn styrofoam and plastic wrap around the pot with soil. There was not a single broken twig or any falling leaves. The tree trunk is impressive! It has a couple of curves that look like a bonsai that has been trained for years by skillful wiring that now has been removed. I soaked it in water on arrival, so it doesn’t dry out. The tree must be at least 5 years old! The Chinese Elm is intended to grow outdoors. It is considered to be a very good choice of tree species for beginners in bonsai. I am delighted with this tree!!! The seller/ grower provides a great bonsai tree!