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I think the value of this tree is in the idea that one day America might give it back to Japan as an act of peace, since it is clearly a very special organism and the value of the act would truly communicate the idea of transcending the causes of hostility. Exchanging such a beautiful life form as an act of peace would surely be the penultimate act of bonsai...

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Quibble: surely that should be 'ultimate act'. The meaning of 'penultimate' implies a further ultimate act. Since bonsai are essentially immortal, you would never be able to tell if an act involving one was penultimate?

Essentially immortal? The article seemed to indicate the expected lifespan of this tree was around 200 years, despite it having lived nearly twice that long.

There's no biological limit to their age - only accident/disease statistics.

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