Prairie State Bonsai Society

General Meeting July 2025
2025-07-09 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Mike Lane’s tropical styling presentation
My journey in bonsai began late in 2008, after receiving a small juniper as a gift. Following this tree’s untimely demise caused by my ignorance, I began looking for classes online and stumbled upon Wigert’s Bonsai in North Fort Myers, Florida, and shortly after my first few visits, I began working under the tutelage of Erik Wigert. After a short period, I began assisting him in both traveling workshops, regular classes, and all aspects of the bonsai nursery.
Mike Lane

As always…
Bring a tree to the meeting if you have questions about it. Members are always encouraged to bring personal trees to the meetings for advice on care or styling from our many club artists.

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday (or the 2nd Wednesday if immediately preceded by a holiday) from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The College of Dupage campus in the TEC 1038b.
The college address is 425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
Members who are unable to attend in person may join via ZOOM.

3rd Annual Membership Promotion Event on the Riverwalk
2025-07-13 12:00 - 17:00 | Wheaton Location, 2250 Durham Dr., Wheaton, IL, 60189, United States
3rd Annual Membership Promotion Event on the Riverwalk

Riverwalk Overlook Naperville, IL
Membership Promotion Event on the Riverwalk

July 13 | 12:00 am – 5:00 pm | Smykal Pavilion | Downtown Naperville, 188 W Jackson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540, United States

Join the club for our annual membership promotion event! Relax on the beautiful downtown Naperville Riverwalk, work on a tree, and hang out with other members.

This event is a “free-speech” promotional event. The goal is to engage passersby and encourage and gain new members to the club. While attending, we hope members can take turns chatting with and engaging potential members who will stop by and see what bonsai is about. Let’s help the club grow!

A senior club member will also do a short demonstration in the afternoon.

Food is only allowed for yourself and not for sharing with others or the public. So feel free to bring some snacks and drinks or go downtown and grab a bite at your leisure.

Hope to see you there!

Location Details

Free Speech Pavilion (also known as the Smykal Pavilion) is located on the Naperville Riverwalk near Jackson Avenue and Webster Street. It is on the library’s south side and next to the Dandelion Fountain in Civil Plaza. 188 W Jackson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540, United States.
PARKING

Parking is available in the street in front of the pavilion, in the parking lot across the street north of the pavilion, south of the pavilion across the river at the city hall parking garage and Water Street district hotel garage, and in all other various lots around the downtown area. Parking should be more ample the earlier you arrive. There is also the larger parking garage on the east side of downtown by Barnes and Noble.

Park District information: https://www.napervilleparks.org/freespeechforums

Destination Asia Festival 2025 – Annual PSBS Bonsai Exhibition – Morton Arboretum
2025-08-02 00:00 - 2025-08-03 00:00
The Morton Arboretum

Explore the diverse cultures of Asia through music, dance, food, and more. Join us for a fun-filled weekend that will transport you across the globe. Our bonsai exhibition will include more than fifty trees, both from the club and from non-club members. As you wander around Meadow Lake, you will experience diverse cultural performances, demonstrations, various shopping and art vendors, and local food trucks.
This event attracts new members to our club, allows members to gather and interact with festival attendees, and teaches them the art of bonsai.
PSBS is proud to be in the Sycamore Room again to host our Annual PSBS Bonsai Exhibition. Our Bonsai Exhibition is where our club members show the trees they have spent so much time on. There will also be several “trees in training” tables where our new members can show their work, and others can display attractive trees in progress. Please consider bringing as many of your trees as possible. As PSBS members, you are allowed up to three display trees for judging, but unlimited “trees in training.”

Guest Artist

The Guest Artist for the 2025 Destination Asia Festival Bonsai Show is James Keith. Jim is a longtime member and past president of Prairie State Bonsai Society. His Bonsai Artist Statement is as follows:
My bonsai journey began thirty years ago when a neighbor moved into the house behind mine. I saw he had bonsai trees, and I asked him if he could teach me. He agreed, and together we would work on trees in his backyard while having a beer, telling stories, and smoking an occasional cigar. Those were great memories. The lessons I learned from my friend led to a passion for the art of bonsai that I have been practicing ever since.
The art of bonsai provides me with a meditative connection to nature. It’s the contemplation of the design and future I see for the tree before I begin the styling process. Developing a vision for it as a piece of living art is what excites me as a bonsai artist.
I apply the principles of artistic design. Carefully considering concepts such as line, form, shape, color, texture, movement, positive and negative space, and asymmetry, with an eye towards creating a harmonious and captivating piece of art.
My goal is to evoke an emotional response in viewers of my art. I want them to be drawn into my art with a sense of wonder and imagination. To recognize the story that the tree would be telling of its journey if it were a tree growing in the wild. To experience the beauty, the ephemeral and transitory nature of life that is the art
of bonsai.

Workshops
All workshops will be presented at Morton Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center on the west side of the park. Further information may be viewed at The Morton Arboretum website under Adult Programs at
Workshop information and registration
Members of Prairie State Bonsai Society can receive a $10 discount on any workshop by registering by telephone at 630-719-2468. Members of the Arboretum can register online.
Workshops include:
Introduction to Bonsai Workshop: Chinese Elm
Saturday, August 2 nd from 9:00 AM to Noon
Taught by Linda Camp and assisted by Badar Zulqarni
Cost for members $105, Non-members $115
Introduction to Bonsai Workshop: Green Gem Ficus
Saturday, August 2 nd from 9:00 AM to Noon
Taught by Phil Malhiot and assisted by Katlin Mulligan
Cost for members $100, Non-members $110
Introduction to Bonsai Workshop: Brazilian Rain Tree
Saturday, August 2 nd from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Taught by Linda Camp and assisted by Nick DiBattista
Cost for members $119, Non-members $129
Guest Artist Bonsai Workshop: Dwarf Mugo Pine
Saturday, August 2 nd from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Taught by Guest Artist Jim Keith
Cost for members $115, Non-members $125
Introduction to Bonsai Workshop: Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper
Sunday, August 3rd from 9:00 AM to Noon
Taught by Jim Beck and assisted by Badar Zulqarni
Cost for members $93, Non-members $103
Guest Artist Bonsai Workshop: Dawn Redwood
Sunday, August 3rd from 9:00 AM to Noon
Taught by Guest Artist Jim Keith
Cost for members $85, Non-members $95
Guest Artist Bonsai Workshop: Bring Your Own Tree
Sunday, August 3rd from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Taught by Guest Artist Jim Keith
Cost for members $60, Non-members $70
Kids’ Bonsai Workshop: Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper
Sunday, August 3rd from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Taught by Larry Magee and assisted by Matt Mazza
Cost for members $80, Non-members $90
Kids must be ages of 8 to 16 and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

Free Demonstrations
All demonstrations will be presented in The Morton Arboretum Courtyard across from the Sycamore Room. Each styled demo tree will be offered as part of the raffle at PSBS monthly meetings later in 2025 or early 2026.
Hinoki Cypress presented by Guest Artist Jim Keith
Saturday, August 2 nd at 10:00 AM
Japanese Maple presented by Matt Mazza
Saturday, August 2 nd at 2:30 PM
Yew presented by Larry Magee
Sunday, August 3rd at 10:00 AM
Juniper presented by Phil Malhiot
Sunday, August 3rd at 2:30 PM

Club Members Only
Exhibition Tree Judging Criteria
CLICK HERE

General Meeting August 2025
2025-08-06 19:00 - 20:30
Kusamono demonstration by Young Choe

Young Choe is a kusamono artist who studied traditional art in her native Korea before moving to the United States and earning her BS in horticulture from the University of Maryland. While volunteering at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, she brought her artistic talent together with her knowledge of horticulture to create kusamono. As her interest developed, Young traveled to Japan to study the unique art form with the master kusamono artist, Keiko Yamane, a former student of Saburo Kato. She worked for many years with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), including the U.S. National Arboretum. Young is considered a leader in the field and enjoys conducting workshops and lectures nationally as well as internationally.
Young Choe
Kusamono refers to a Japanese botanical art that developed alongside bonsai. Kusamono are potted arrangements of wild grasses and flowers in unique pots or trays selected to suggest a season or place. The name is composed of two Japanese characters– “grass” and “thing”—which together suggest humble, everyday plants. Originally, this name referred to the small, potted grasses displayed next to bonsai as accent plants. More recently, creating Kusamono has developed into an art form of its own. A well-chosen kusamono reflects the season in which it is displayed. Some compositions are designed to include plants that will look good in several seasons. Besides the season, a Kusamono should suggest a specific natural habitat, such as a wetland, meadow, or woodland. Whether using a single plant or a group of plants, there are three basic styles of planting: moss-ball, out-of-pot, or in a container.

As always…
Bring a tree to the meeting if you have questions about it. Members are always encouraged to bring personal trees to the meetings for advice on care or styling from our many club artists.

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday (or the 2nd Wednesday if immediately preceded by a holiday) from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The College of Dupage campus in the TEC 1038b.
The college address is 425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
Members who are unable to attend in person may join via ZOOM.

Mid-America Bonsai Show & Sale
2025-08-15 12:00 - 2025-08-17 17:00 | Chicago Botanic Gardens, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL, United States
Mid-America Bonsai Show & Sale
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL

Friday, Saturday & Sunday
August 15: noon – 5 p.m.
August 16 & 17: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Presented by the Midwest Bonsai Society
See bonsai trees on display, shop the plant sale, and learn from experts.
Show: Nichols Hall
Sale: Runnels & Searle Courtyard
Demonstrations & Lectures:
Auditorium, Design Studio & Plant Science Lab
Workshops: Various locations
highlights:

A judged show including 200 bonsai trees reflecting all types of bonsai styles in Nichols Hall
Over a dozen vendors selling bonsai trees, raw nursery stock, pots, tools, and supplies in the Searle and Runnells Courtyards
Free demonstrations and lectures in Alsdorf Auditorium
Workshops for beginners and accomplished bonsai growers to collect growing information
To register and see the full list of workshops, visit midwestbonsai.org
Chicago Botanic Garden

Tapestry Multicultural Festival
2025-09-06 12:00 - 16:00 | Fishel Park, 1036 Grove St., Downers Grove, IL, United States
Join us at the TAPESTRY Multicultural Festival to share the timeless art of bonsai with our community! This vibrant celebration of cultural diversity is the perfect opportunity for Prairie State Bonsai Society members to showcase our passion and introduce visitors to the beauty and tradition of bonsai cultivation.
We invite all members to:

Bring one or more of your prized bonsai trees for display
Share your knowledge and techniques with curious festival-goers
Demonstrate the artistry and patience behind this living sculpture
Connect with a diverse, enthusiastic audience eager to learn about different cultural traditions

Your participation will help foster cross-cultural understanding while celebrating the meditative art we all love. This family-friendly event features music, dance, food, and storytelling from cultures around the world – and your bonsai display will be a unique highlight!
For more information about the festival, visit: https://www.dgparks.org/tapestry
Let’s come together to represent the Prairie State Bonsai Society and share the peaceful beauty of bonsai with our neighbors!

General Meeting September 2025
2025-09-10 19:00 - 20:30
TBA

As always…
Bring a tree to the meeting you have questions about. Members are always encouraged to bring personal trees to the meetings for advice on care or styling from our many club artists.

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday (or the 2nd Wednesday if immediately preceded by a holiday) from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The College of Dupage campus in the TEC 1038b.
The college address is 425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
Members who are unable to attend in person may join via ZOOM.

WISCO BONSAI SEPTEMBERFEST
2025-09-26 12:00 - 2025-09-28 16:00 | Wisco Bonsai, N68W23890 Donna Dr, Sussex, Sussex, WI, 53089, United States
Kevin Stoeveken, Owner, Wiso Bonsai

WISCO BONSAI SEPTEMBERFEST3 DAYS OF WORKSHOPS WITH SPECIAL ARTISTS !!!SEPTEMBER 26 – 28 AT WISCO BONSAI SUSSEX, WI.REGISTER AT wiscobonsai@gmail.com

WORKSHOPS:

Friday, Sept 26th: beginner/intermediate workshop (byo) 12 pm – 4 pm with Kevin Stoeveken (owner Wisco Bonsai). Simply bring a tree, grab a seat, and get some guidance. Fun and loose. $25 per person.
Saturday Sept 27th2 workshops, both 10 am – 4 pm (could end earlier), Social time to follow.
Workshop 1) BYO styling workshop with Brian Susler of Night Owl Bonsai. One of the most respected Wisconsin Bonsai Artists will help you take your material to the next level. Brian is in high demand and is difficult to access, and never at this price! Think Conifers at this time of year! $75.oo per person.* Limit 6 people
Workshop 2) Material provided large Japanese Maple workshop with Houston Sanders. If you don’t already know, Houston is widely respected for his growing capabilities, and the varied & unusual species he keeps. You have likely seen his work on display at the Chicago show on behalf of his imaginary friend & mentor, Jose Sandoval! LOL, He is providing large Japanese Maples for this workshop. $200 per person (Material provided !)
* Limit 8 people.
Sunday Sept 28th2 workshops, both 10 am – 4 pm (could end earlier), Social time to follow.
Workshop 1) BYO styling workshop with Elle Nieto–Brodnick of Chicago. For those who have paid attention to her Bonsai career, you know that she has travelled the world to study her craft with the best. Her eye for design is very well developed & is an excellent teacher. As her star rises, it will be difficult to access her at this price. $75.oo per person.
* limit 6 people
Workshop 2) Material provided by Shohin Itoigawa Junipers with Mark Fields of Indianapolis. Mark needs no introduction as he is a very well-known artist and a master of Shohin Bonsai, consistently winning Best Shohin Display across the nation. $200 per person (Material provided!)
* limit 10 People
All workshops are free and open to the public for “silent” observation (silent or not being at the artist’s discretion)
*NOTE: ALL WORKSHOP PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO THE ARTISTS !!!SO LET’S SUPPORT THEM AND SELL THIS EVENT OUT !!!!!!

General Meeting October 2025
2025-10-01 19:00 - 20:30

General Meeting November 2025
2025-11-05 19:30 - 20:30

PRAIRIE STATE BONSAI SOCIETY CHRISTMAS PARTY 2025
2025-12-05 18:00 - 21:30
PRAIRIE STATE BONSAI SOCIETY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Date: December 5, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Place: The Magee Estate in Wayne, Illinois
Please note the date and time change. Larry requested we park in the driveway and enter the party from the rear of the house. It will all be lit up. This is a fun get-together to celebrate the holidays with our bonsai friends and colleagues.
This is a fun get-together celebrating the holidays with our bonsai friends and colleagues.
Please bring food to share. It can be an appetizer, dessert, or homemade dish. The club will provide pop, water, ice, plates, cups, and utensils.
Please bring some food to share. SEE NEW INFO BELOW. It can be an appetizer, dessert or homemade dish. The club will provide pop, water, ice, plates, cups, and utensils.
As usual there will be a door prize. Everyone attending will be given a free ticket for a chance to win.
Also we will be having a White Elephant gift exchange. If you want to play in the White Elephant exchange, bring something bonsai related. If you don’t bring a gift, you don’t get to play. Gifts are typically inexpensive (around $15), can be new or used items, but must be usable, not junk. It can be a pot or tool you don’t need anymore, a book you have read or whatever, but remember it must be bonsai related. Wrap it well, put it in the gift pile when you arrive and you might actually get something you need when it’s your turn to snag a gift. To determine the gift-choice play order, we will draw numbers from a hat. Starting with #1 the first person picks a gift from the pile then unwraps and displays it for all to see. The second and all subsequent people can either steal or take a gift from the pile. If they steal, then the person who just had his/her gift stolen can take a gift from the pile OR steal any other gift (EXCEPT the one just stolen from him/her). No limit on how many times a gift can be stolen. When all the gifts have been opened, the first player who started the game (who, by the way, never had the option of stealing a gift to begin with) gets to either keep or exchange his gift with anyone playing, thus ending the game. It is a very fun event, bring a gift and participate.
NEW INFO: This year we would like any member who plan to attend to RSVP. Also due to the duplicate food options last year, please choose your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice of what you intend on bringing. Send it to Charlotte. Charlotte will let you know which of your choices to bring. We just do not want to have 6 trays of brownies and no cookies, or 4 cole slaw and no macaroni salads, etc.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

February Member Meeting: Soil Composition & Repotting Lecture
2026-02-04 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Presenter: Linda Camp
Linda Camp is a bonsai enthusiast with over 27 years of experience and partner in B.C. Bonsai for over 21 years. Based in the western Chicago suburbs, she operates B.C. Bonsai which offers trees ranging from seedlings to 40-year-old specimens, along with tools, wire, and pots. Linda serves as a Member at Large on the Midwest Bonsai Society Board and is a frequent workshop instructor and demonstrator across the Chicagoland bonsai community.
Linda will present a soil components 101 talk covering the materials and recipes needed for repotting season, along with a video presentation on repotting preparation. This is the perfect meeting to attend before spring repotting begins — learn what supplies to gather and how to mix your soil before the busy season hits.

2026 SILHOUETTE SHOW
2026-02-21 10:00 - 2026-02-22 16:00 | Morton Arboretum, 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL, 60532, United States
February 21 & 22 | Sat 10AM – 4PM | Sun 9AM- 4PM | Morton Arboretum | Lisle, IL
A Silhouette exhibit displays the bonsai without leaves, which may seem strange, but it is a great time to
see the trees’ structure, especially the ramification.
The show will be held in the Sycamore Room at The Morton Arboretum for the second year. The
Sycamore Room is part of the Visitor Center building at the Arboretum. It is the same location as our
Destination Asia Festival bonsai show each year, scheduled this year for August 1 & 2, 2026. Silhouette
Shows in 2024 and before were held at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL.
Other attractions for the weekend:
This year we are adding a raffle of an Alberta Spruce bonsai as an extra added attraction. Tickets will be
$1 per chance to win and the winner need not be present for the drawing.
In addition to the usual number of visitors at the Arboretum, simultaneously, the Arb has Juniper Junction,
its annual model train show, in the Firefly Pavilion. The model train show begins on February 14th and
ends on the 22nd. The model train show should increase foot traffic beyond the usual number of people at
the Arboretum on a February weekend. Attendees for the train show will be parking in the main parking
lot and will need to pass through the Visitor Center to get to the Firefly Pavilion.
What trees to enter:
As always, the Silhouette Show focuses on deciduous trees, allowing a clear view of the structure of the
tree and its ramification without leaves. In addition, we are encouraging members to show some
coniferous trees, particularly if the structure of the tree is clearly visible, staying within the spirit of a
silhouette show. Trees are not expected to be “perfect.” Just as with the August show, we will have a Trees
in Training display for those trees in development so the viewers can understand the process of
developing a bonsai. Ceramic pots and stands will be used for most trees in the main part of the show, but
are not essential for Trees in Training. Some members may have additional stands for loan to members
who do not have one. Accent plants and stones are not needed.
Vendors:
Currently we have two vendors lined up for the show. BC Bonsai will be selling bonsai trees, pots, wire
and tools. Bubba’s Backyard Bonsai will be selling bonsai trees. Both are vendors you may have visited
at our Destination Asia show last August or at the Midwest Bonsai show at Chicago Botanic Garden.
Our schedule:
Friday, February 20th: After Noon – We will have access to set up tables. Vendors will also be setting up
in the Sycamore Room.
Saturday, February 21st: 8 AM – 10 AM – Register and set up trees, 10 AM – 4 PM – Show
Sunday, February 22nd: 9 AM – 4 PM – Show, After 4 PM – Teardown
Sunday, February 23rd: 9 AM – Noon – Additional teardown time (if needed)
Pre-registration and questions:
We are asking members to sign up in advance for their trees to be displayed at the Silhouette Show.
Members can sign up at the February General Membership meeting. Please email or call Craig to pre-
register your tree(s) so we can correctly allocate space.

Silhouette Show
2026-02-21 10:00 - 2026-02-22 16:00 | The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL, US
The annual winter bonsai exhibition showcasing deciduous trees in their leafless form, highlighting trunk structure, branch ramification, and the skeletal beauty of bonsai. Members display their best deciduous specimens. Vendors and a raffle will be on site as well. Free with Arboretum admission.

March Member Meeting: Board Elections & Juniper Styling Workshop
2026-03-04 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Presenters: Linda Camp & Larry Magee
The meeting will begin with the annual board elections, followed by a hands-on Juniper styling workshop. Members will work with Procumbens Nana (Shimpaku) material, learning twisting and styling techniques. Trees are provided at approximately $30-35 each. A great opportunity for new members to jump right in with something hands-on.

April Member Meeting: Repotting Workshop
2026-04-01 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
A hands-on repotting workshop. Members are encouraged to bring trees that need repotting and put into practice the soil preparation and techniques discussed at the February meeting. This is a staple of the PSBS spring calendar — an opportunity for members of all skill levels to get guidance on root work, soil selection, and pot fitting from experienced club members.

May Meeting: Mauro Stemberger Demonstration
2026-05-20 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Guest Artist: Mauro Stemberger
Mauro Stemberger is one of the most sought-after bonsai artists in the world. Born in 1978 in Feltre, Italy, he trained under masters including Hotsumi Terakawa, Marc Noelanders, and Salvatore Liporace. An architect by profession, Mauro founded the Italian Bonsai Dream in 2005 and the Italian Bonsai Dream School in 2011. He has been a BCI-certified bonsai instructor since 2008 and served as president of UBI (Italian Bonsai Association) from 2008-2010.
Mauro specializes in conifers — Pines, Junipers (Itoigawa, Sabina), and especially Larch — and is known for his unique styling approach and engaging teaching style. His accolades include a Gold Medal at the Noelanders Trophy, multiple international photo competition wins, and demonstrations at the most prestigious bonsai shows worldwide. He has over 105,000 followers on Instagram (@bonsaidream).

June Member Meeting: Satsuki Azalea Demonstration
2026-06-03 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Guest Artist: Dave Kreutz
Wednesday, June 3 • 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Also available on Zoom
Dave Kreutz operates Satsuki Bonsai-en in the St. Louis metro area and is one of the country’s foremost specialists in satsuki azalea bonsai. He completed formal training under Tatemori Gondo at the El Dorado Bonsai School in California during the 1990s, graduating from a rigorous three-year program to become a certified satsuki bonsai instructor.
Dave grows and imports a wide variety of satsuki cultivars and supplies, with much of his inventory sourced directly from Japanese nurseries. He regularly leads tours to Japan and conducts workshops at bonsai societies across the Midwest and beyond.
What to Expect

Live demonstration of styling and care techniques for satsuki azalea bonsai
Dave typically brings trees and supplies for sale — a great opportunity to add a flowering species to your collection
Raffle with trees and bonsai supplies
Bring your own tree for advice from Dave and other experienced members

About Satsuki Azaleas
Satsuki azaleas have been hybridized in Japan for over 500 years, with more than 300 named varieties producing flowers in white, pink, red, reddish-orange, and purple. They are prized as bonsai for their spectacular blooms and distinctive smooth, muscular-looking trunks. Satsuki can tolerate cold down to 0°F (some varieties to −10°F) and handle hard pruning well, making them an excellent choice for bonsai enthusiasts in the Chicago area.

Annual Club Picnic
2026-06-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, IL, US
Guest Artist: Chris Baker, Curator of Bonsai at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Sunday, June 14 • 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
North Pavilion, Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, IL
Join us for the annual PSBS summer picnic at the beautiful Blackwell Forest Preserve! Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of great food, conversation, and camaraderie with fellow bonsai enthusiasts and their families.

Chris Baker

This year we’ll be joined by Chris Baker, Curator of Bonsai at the Chicago Botanic Garden, as our guest artist. Chris has been the first full-time Curator of Bonsai at the Garden since 2014, and under his stewardship the bonsai collection has more than doubled its display of quality trees. He trained under bonsai master Toru Suzuki at the Diajuen Nursery in Japan in 2012 and currently serves as President of the North American Bonsai Federation and a board member of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation. Bring a tree and your tools — Chris and other experienced members will be happy to offer advice and guidance.

What the Club Provides

Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, buns, and condiments
Drinks (soda and water) and ice
Plates, plasticware, and napkins
Bonsai wire

What to Bring

Your family — everyone is welcome!
A dish to share
Lawn chairs
A bonsai tree and your tools (for advice from Chris and others)

Directions to the North Pavilion
Enter Blackwell Forest Preserve from the north side of Butterfield Road (IL Route 56), just west of Winfield Road. After the first stop sign, continue 0.8 miles. You’ll pass two stop signs, the South Shelter sign, Boat Launch sign, West Shelter sign, and West Division Ranger Office sign. After the road curves right around the lake, you will see the North Shelter sign on your right. The North Pavilion has bathrooms with flush toilets, running water, and a built-in barbecue grill.
Please note: Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in DuPage County Forest Preserve District facilities. There is no admission fee to enter the preserve.

July Member Meeting: Show Prep for August Exhibition
2026-07-08 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Prepare your trees for our August Exhibition!
This will be a working session, so please bring your trees, tools, and wire. The first half of the meeting will cover the basics of show prep and displaying trees. For the rest of the meeting, experienced members will be available to evaluate your trees and help you work on them.

Destination Asia Festival
2026-08-01 - 2026-08-02 | The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL, US
Saturday, August 1: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PMSunday, August 2: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Guest Judge: Peter Chan
The premier bonsai exhibition of the year at the Morton Arboretum, featuring bonsai displays from across the Midwest, vendor sales, and workshops led by world-class artists.
Peter Chan is the doyen of bonsai in the United Kingdom. He is a self-taught bonsai artist whose journey began on a London balcony in the late 1960s. In 1986, he and his wife Dawn founded Herons Bonsai, which became Britain’s premier bonsai nursery. Peter holds the extraordinary record of 21 Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals — a feat unmatched by any other bonsai specialist. He served as Chairman of the British Bonsai Association (1980-1987) and is a founding member of the Federation of British Bonsai Societies. His first book, Bonsai: The Art of Growing and Keeping Miniature Trees (1985), remains a world bestseller still in print. His YouTube channel has over 500,000 subscribers and 70 million views.
Peter will conduct 4 workshops (2 per day) and serve as judge for the exhibition. 8 workshops are planned across the weekend, running 9 AM–noon and 1:30–4:30 PM.

🎟️ Workshop Registration
We are offering eight hands-on bonsai workshops across both days of the festival, including four led by guest artist Peter Chan. Workshops range from beginner intro sessions to advanced guest artist experiences — plus kids’ workshops!
View Workshops & Register →

August Member Meeting: Shimpaku Bonsai Workshop by BC Bonsai
2026-08-05 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Join us for a Shimpaku Bonsai Workshop led by BC Bonsai!
This hands-on workshop will cover the proper use of wires and the art of bending — essential techniques for the health and development of your bonsai. Whether you’re new to wiring or looking to refine your skills, this is a great opportunity to learn from an expert.

September Member Meeting: Garage Sale & Kokufu Presentation
2026-09-09 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Moved to the second Wednesday due to the Labor Day holiday.
A double-feature evening! The September meeting combines two great events:
Bonsai Garage Sale: Do you have something bonsai-related to sell, or are you looking for some deals? Members will have items to sell — pots, plants, tools, anything bonsai-related.
Kokufu-Ten Trip Presentation: Larry Magee and Badar Zulqarni will present on their trip to the Kokufu-Ten, Japan’s most prestigious bonsai exhibition. See world-class trees and hear about the experience firsthand.

October Member Meeting: Iron Bonsai Competition
2026-10-07 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
The annual Iron Bonsai event — one of the most entertaining meetings of the year! Inspired by the TV cooking show format, experienced bonsai artists compete head-to-head, each styling raw material into a finished bonsai within a limited time while the audience watches. Come watch the drama unfold and vote for your favorite creation.

November Member Meeting: Winter Prep and Deciduous Tree Work
2026-11-04 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Get your trees ready for winter! Linda will present on deciduous tree care and winter preparation, covering topics like defoliation timing, protecting roots, winter storage options, and dormancy management.
This meeting will also include a quick refresher session for newer members on the fundamentals of winter bonsai care — perfect for anyone who joined the club this year.

December Member Meeting: Holiday Club Party
2026-12-02 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Join us for the annual PSBS holiday club party! Larry Magee will be hosting once again. Celebrate another great year of bonsai with your fellow club members. Details on food, drinks, and location will be shared closer to the date.
This is a social event — no formal program. Come enjoy good company and good cheer as we wrap up 2026!
