Stolen after decades of care

[padding] [If you are unable to view this message correctly, click here]( [padding] [stuff header] [spacer] [padding] Hi {NAME}, I have only ever owned one bonsai, and that’s probably for the best. The tiny, and immaculately-crafted tree was given to me as a gift. Stupidly, and sadly, I was 20, didn’t research, and decided — in my infinite wisdom — to give it the same care as my peace lily. One of those two plants is still alive, no prizes for guessing which. Slowly, the tree turned brown. I kept it on my windowsill for months, and would defensively tell friends it was just sleeping for winter. Oops. I was incredibly sad to read that a Mt Albert man[lost “years of his heart and soul” this week, after 40 of his beloved bonsai trees were stolen.]( I would be devastated if my small collection of houseplants was lifted, let alone after 30 years of painstaking care. The man’s son, Nick Yu, is appealing to the public to help track down the miniature trees, which are worth thousands of dollars to purchase, but are worth even more to the devoted and heartbroken grower. Yu said his father, 68, is “a glass-half-full kind of person – he always teaches me to look on the bright side. He said to me, ‘At least they haven’t taken everything,’ and pointed out a few nice plants that have remained.” Plants and gardens are living things. We take care of them, and in turn, they take care of us - clearing VOCs from the air and boosting our serotonin levels. That’s what makes a backyard burglary particularly cruel. Speaking to my colleague Joanna Davis, Yu said: “I just hope whoever took them doesn't destroy them. That would really hurt my dad.” If you’re plant shopping in Tāmaki Makaurau over the (hopefully sunny) weekend, spare a thought for the Yu family and keep your eyes peeled. [padding] [user profile pic] [padding] Mikaela Wilkes [padding] Homed Reporter [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][separator] [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][Homed]( [spacer] Pride and joy stolen [spacer] An Auckland man has lost “years of his heart and soul” after more than 40 of his miniature trees were taken from his Mount Albert backyard. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][Homed]( [spacer] An end of an era [spacer] Beautiful 1880s double bay villa could face an uncertain future because it sits on one of the last three large sites in Mount Victoria. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] ADVERTISEMENT [padding] [spacer][placeholder]( [spacer] [padding] [spacer][Homed]( [spacer] Colour-packed happy place [spacer] This designer's moving her bright and vibrant colours into the living room of her home - and hoping her mum won't notice. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][hot take]( [spacer] Cliffhanger sells $1m over CV [spacer] The award-winning, hill-hugging home in Wellington was bought by a local buyer, for $2.55m. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] ADVERTISEMENT [padding] [advertisement]( [spacer] ADVERTISEMENT [padding] [Advertisement]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][hot take]( [spacer] Handmade tiny, tiny houses [spacer] Selina Reid was renovating a 100-year-old house when inspiration struck – she could do a more colourful and quirky job on a miniature scale. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][Homed]( [spacer] Red House on the outside... [spacer] A TV rebuild of the Red House blended Victorian heritage with a modern addition, and its new owners have added their own twist. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [padding] [spacer][Support Stuff]( [spacer] [padding] Enjoying this email? [Check out Stuff's other daily and weekly newsletters.]( [spacer] # [padding] [spacer] [padding] Discover more at [spacer] [stuff logo] [spacer] [www.stuff.co.nz/homed](#) [padding] [spacer][footer bar] [padding] [spacer] You are receiving this email because you are a opted in to receive the Stuff Homed Newsletter [Unsubscribe]( [Manage your profile]( [Privacy Policy]( Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up to get the Stuff Homed newsletter in your inbox]( Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland, 1021, New Zealand [spacer] [padding]