# YearTree — grow a bonsai a year at a time

> Digital bonsai tree cultivation app focused on patience and mindful growth. (iPhone/iPad app by Justin Neuman.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yeartree/id6762160371 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Justin Neuman](https://appshunter.io/developer/1859103444)
- Category: Entertainment, Games, Simulation
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 17 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2026-05-01
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yeartree/id6762160371/reviews.md

## What is YearTree?

YearTree is a bonsai garden for your phone.

Each day you open the app is one year in the life of your tree. You see what grew overnight. You make one choice... prune a branch, shift the light, or leave the tree alone. Then the year ends. Growth happens in your absence.

This is how real bonsai works. The Japanese word for tending bonsai is "seishi"... to restrain life. A bonsai master does not build a tree. They remove what is unnecessary. They wait. They decide when to stop. YearTree puts that practice in your hands.

Your tree is unique. No two trees start the same way and no two trees grow the same way. Light compounds over years, bending branches toward the sun. Pruning redirects energy. Doing nothing has consequences. Surface roots emerge with age. Growth slows over centuries. Every decision accumulates. Every absence matters.

This is contemplative play... a space between games and meditation where meaning comes from patience, not performance. There is no score. No timer. No way to win. Just the slow unfolding of something shaped by your attention and your restraint.

When your tree feels finished... not when the game tells you, but when you feel it... place it on the shelf. A collection of trees you chose to stop touching. Share a snapshot of what you have grown. Start another.

One pot. One tree. Many years.

Free: one year per day, full mechanics. Pro: unlimited years per session. $4.99, one time, forever.

No ads. No subscriptions. No accounts. No data.

## Key features

- Daily year progression for tree growth
- Interactive pruning and light adjustment
- Unique tree development based on choices
- Contemplative gameplay, no scores or timers
- Collect and share finished bonsai trees
- Offline play

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| YearTree Pro | $4.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yeartree/id6762160371/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great app

*2026-06-14*

This is an extremely calming way to start my day!

## Frequently asked questions about YearTree

### What is YearTree?

YearTree is a digital bonsai garden where each day in the app represents one year in the life of your tree. You make choices to shape its growth, offering a contemplative experience focused on patience and restraint.

### How does YearTree work?

Each day you open YearTree, a year passes for your bonsai. You can prune branches, adjust light, or do nothing, and then the year ends. Growth occurs even when you're not actively playing, mimicking real bonsai cultivation.

### Is YearTree free to play?

Yes, YearTree is free to download and play. The free version allows one year per day and offers full mechanics. A Pro version is available for a one-time purchase of $4.99 for unlimited years per session.

### Does YearTree have ads?

No, YearTree is ad-free. The developer has stated there are no ads, no subscriptions, and no accounts required, ensuring an uninterrupted contemplative experience.

### Can I play YearTree offline?

Yes, YearTree is designed for offline play. You can tend to your bonsai and experience its growth without needing an internet connection, making it ideal for any time and place.

### What is the age rating for YearTree?

YearTree has an age rating of 9+. This suggests it is suitable for children aged 9 and older, offering a gentle and educational experience in cultivating a digital plant.

### How often is YearTree updated?

YearTree was last updated on June 12, 2026, with version 1.0.2. This indicates a commitment to ongoing development and refinement of the application.

### What makes YearTree unique?

YearTree offers a unique contemplative play experience that blends gaming and meditation. It focuses on patience, restraint, and the slow unfolding of growth, with no score or way to 'win', making each tree's journey deeply personal.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.0.4 — 2026-06-30

To prune or not to prune, that is the question. 

YearTree is a bonsai garden where each day is one year in the life of your tree. 

One year passes. Prune your tree... or not. Change the angle of the light... or not. Wait until tomorrow to see how it grows. 

That hasn't changed and never will.

Year/Tree Pro, a one-time $4.99 unlock for users who want to take more than one turn per session. Call it a tax on patience. 

What's new in 1.0.3: Share your work (and this app) with friends!

### 1.0.2 — 2026-06-12

To prune or not to prune, that is the question. 

Year/Tree is a bonsai garden where each day is one year in the life of your tree. 

One year passes. Prune your tree... or not. Change the angle of the light... or not. Wait until tomorrow to see how it grows. 

That hasn't changed and never will.

What's new in 1.0.1: Year/Tree Pro, a one-time $4.99 unlock for users who want to take more than one turn per session. Call it a tax on patience.

### 1.0.1 — 2026-05-01

To prune or not to prune, that is the question. 

Year/Tree is a bonsai garden where each day is one year in the life of your tree. 

One year passes. Prune your tree... or not. Change the angle of the light... or not. Wait until tomorrow to see how it grows. 

That hasn't changed and never will.

What's new in 1.0.1: Year/Tree Pro, a one-time $4.99 unlock for users who want to take more than one turn per session. Call it a tax on patience.

### 1.0 — 2026-05-01

No release notes.

## More apps by Justin Neuman

- [BreathCube Visualizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/breathcube-visualizer/id6756200037)
- [EssayVelocity](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essayvelocity/id6756243821)
- [Unicorn Kick](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unicorn-kick/id6756460875)
- [PassTheStory](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/passthestory/id6756682884)
- [BiasProof](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/biasproof/id6756802032)
- [ReadingVelocity](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/readingvelocity/id6756850747)

All apps by Justin Neuman: https://appshunter.io/developer/1859103444

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*
