From the Curator

As all of us recognize, we are living in an extraordinary period in our nation’s economic history, when few individuals and fewer businesses will find themselves unaffected by events. Weyerhaeuser Company, engaged primarily in the production of timber, wood, cellulose and homes, is heavily affected by current weakness in housing and construction industries. As a result, I regret to inform you that Weyerhaeuser’s Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection closed to the public April 2, 2009.

During nearly 20 years in operation, we have enjoyed outstanding support from our management, our employees, our volunteers, and our community. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of you. I feel we can take justifiable pride in the fact that with your help, we built a collection and a program that have few peers in this country.

During our closure, it is our intent to keep the collection of bonsai intact and well maintained, with the hope that we may someday bring it back to public display. We therefore are saying “so long” rather than “goodbye”. To all those who have enjoyed the collection, we would be happy to hear from you. My email address is david.degroot@weyerhaeuser.com. Comments, suggestions or just recollections are all welcome. Thank you again, and have a bright and wonderful spring!

David De Groot