When eight miniature trees disappeared from the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt in Oakland in mid-January, a sense of despair descended on the volunteer-run exhibit. The trees were living masterpieces, ...

Norm Geisinger is 82 years old, and he owns an 85-year-old bonsai tree that’s less than two feet tall. He’s owned the Lace-bark Chinese elm for 25 years. He’s the third owner. Geisinger, a former ...