AusBonsai

Hey all, I've heard some people mention microchipping their trees... anyone done this? Any advice on where to buy them and how they work? I.e. just say the tree is stolen... what can you do? Is it just if the thief tries to sell the tree that it can be scanned?

I have microchips in my bikes (push bikes).

They are registered on a database so if the bike is stolen and recovered the police can scan it and get my name and address.

You obviously can't track where the bike is, like a GPS device.

The important thing about these chips is that they are in a little holder that is pushed down to the bottom of the seat tube and is very hard to remove.

Not sure if its a good idea with trees because the chip would be easy to remove, even if it was hidden deep in the soil. Unless you assume the thief won't be looking for a chip.

I just found this on another forum:

"The same microchip technology that is used on dogs and cats and other pets could be used on our trees. Its a tiny chip the size of a grain of rice that could be inserted into a part of the tree that you wouldn’t even notice. You would register this with one of 3 different companies that do this in the US. All animal hospitals, pounds and most law enforcement agencies carry a small scanner that will I.D the tree. The scanner can be bought fairly inexpensively and kept by the tree’s owner or he local bonsai club/ nursery.
This won’t stop anyone from stealing a tree, but it would definetly prove its your tree if it turns up acroos the country or even years later when the tree has been repotted or otherwise changed making it difficult to prove that it is yours. Also, any suspiciouse tree that suddenly appears on craigslist or ebay very cheaply could be checked first.
You can never realy stop theft if someone wants your trees bad enough, but we can make it as hard as possible for the thiefs so they are more likely to pass over your yard in search of easier pickins."

I guess if the chip is small enough you could drill a little hole somewhere in the tree and insert it.

The question outstanding issue is whether the Police would scan a tree if they recovered it?

There is a thing called 'BonTag', which is the same as a microchip, but specifically for Bonsai. Won't prevent them being stolen, but if they're found it proves they are yours 100%.

http://www.bon-tag.com/

I'll probably use something like this when I have tree's worth it

Even if you don't use the chips, the warning signs would be a good deterrent

The question outstanding issue is whether the Police would scan a tree if they recovered it?

I dont believe that the police would do this off their own back, although when you made a formal statement in relation to a theft that occurs, you would need to spell out to the police that all of your trees were micro-chipped and demand that they acquire a scanner so as to successfully identify your trees.

I have Rottweilers! Just come and try to take anything!


Cheers
EZ
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A couple of issues I see with microchips;

1. They don't stop the tree being stolen.
2. Will only be scanned if the police know about the chips and they have a scanner. Unlikely they will go buy a scanner just to do that.
3. A lot of bonsai trees that are stolen are never recovered.

I have been speaking with one of our clients (a security firm) and they mentioned a system used by a lot of museums where a tag is placed on the item (in this case would be in the pot). If the item is moved past a certain point from its location an alarm goes off. This would allow the trees to be moved around the yard without an issue and if they need to be taken to a show or club meeting the tag can be deactivated. They are getting more info on the system for me so will update once I know more. I figured this will at least provide some protection against the actual theft. I know cost will be the biggest issue for most so we will see how it goes. It may not be viable from a cost point of view, I don't know.

Josh

Josh wrote:... where a tag is placed on the item . If the item is moved past a certain point from its location an alarm goes off.

Josh, sounds interesting - please keep up to date.

Plain old, garden type pressure switches under valuable trees can be built in as part of an overall security system.

Which should be ON whenever you are out (physically or metaphorically)

Motion detection based video recording (and alarming) is now becoming a commodity,too

CoGRedeMptioN wrote:I have Rottweilers! Just come and try to take anything!


Cheers
EZ
Sent using Tapatalk

Got to say I like CoGRedeMptioN method

Josh

Lol, today's Bonsai thieves are tomorrow's Rottweiler poop!

Just sayin...


Cheers
EZ
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Josh wrote:A couple of issues I see with microchips;

1. They don't stop the tree being stolen.
2. Will only be scanned if the police know about the chips and they have a scanner. Unlikely they will go buy a scanner just to do that.
3. A lot of bonsai trees that are stolen are never recovered.

I have been speaking with one of our clients (a security firm) and they mentioned a system used by a lot of museums where a tag is placed on the item (in this case would be in the pot). If the item is moved past a certain point from its location an alarm goes off. This would allow the trees to be moved around the yard without an issue and if they need to be taken to a show or club meeting the tag can be deactivated. They are getting more info on the system for me so will update once I know more. I figured this will at least provide some protection against the actual theft. I know cost will be the biggest issue for most so we will see how it goes. It may not be viable from a cost point of view, I don't know.

Josh

Totally agree mate, they are good, but I'd prefer to prevent it straight off the bat.

I actually had an idea where you attach a small chain, or wire to the bottom of your pot (connect it to one of the wire holes) and run that chain/wire to an alarm system that goes off if it is pulled. Much like they use with mobile phones, and cameras in stores.

Whether it'd work or not is another question

Jason wrote:

Josh wrote:A couple of issues I see with microchips;

1. They don't stop the tree being stolen.
2. Will only be scanned if the police know about the chips and they have a scanner. Unlikely they will go buy a scanner just to do that.
3. A lot of bonsai trees that are stolen are never recovered.

I have been speaking with one of our clients (a security firm) and they mentioned a system used by a lot of museums where a tag is placed on the item (in this case would be in the pot). If the item is moved past a certain point from its location an alarm goes off. This would allow the trees to be moved around the yard without an issue and if they need to be taken to a show or club meeting the tag can be deactivated. They are getting more info on the system for me so will update once I know more. I figured this will at least provide some protection against the actual theft. I know cost will be the biggest issue for most so we will see how it goes. It may not be viable from a cost point of view, I don't know.

Josh

Totally agree mate, they are good, but I'd prefer to prevent it straight off the bat.

I actually had an idea where you attach a small chain, or wire to the bottom of your pot (connect it to one of the wire holes) and run that chain/wire to an alarm system that goes off if it is pulled. Much like they use with mobile phones, and cameras in stores.

Whether it'd work or not is another question

Yeah I agree Jason. I originally looked at plinth pads I think they were called. An electronic pressure pad, if the tree is picked up, the pressure switch goes off and alarm is activated. Problem is you can't just move the trees around the yard. At least with this system they are easily moved within a certain area. Waiting to hear back with more details.

Josh.

Josh wrote:

Jason wrote:

Josh wrote:A couple of issues I see with microchips;

1. They don't stop the tree being stolen.
2. Will only be scanned if the police know about the chips and they have a scanner. Unlikely they will go buy a scanner just to do that.
3. A lot of bonsai trees that are stolen are never recovered.

I have been speaking with one of our clients (a security firm) and they mentioned a system used by a lot of museums where a tag is placed on the item (in this case would be in the pot). If the item is moved past a certain point from its location an alarm goes off. This would allow the trees to be moved around the yard without an issue and if they need to be taken to a show or club meeting the tag can be deactivated. They are getting more info on the system for me so will update once I know more. I figured this will at least provide some protection against the actual theft. I know cost will be the biggest issue for most so we will see how it goes. It may not be viable from a cost point of view, I don't know.

Josh

Totally agree mate, they are good, but I'd prefer to prevent it straight off the bat.

I actually had an idea where you attach a small chain, or wire to the bottom of your pot (connect it to one of the wire holes) and run that chain/wire to an alarm system that goes off if it is pulled. Much like they use with mobile phones, and cameras in stores.

Whether it'd work or not is another question

Yeah I agree Jason. I originally looked at plinth pads I think they were called. An electronic pressure pad, if the tree is picked up, the pressure switch goes off and alarm is activated. Problem is you can't just move the trees around the yard. At least with this system they are easily moved within a certain area. Waiting to hear back with more details.

Josh.

Very good point! Didn't even think of that. Very keen to hear the results, as will a few people be I think