Call for Entries

 

Last updated: 7/12/2022 

Thank You!  Submissions are Closed.

Thank you to everyone who submitted trees to the 2022 Pacific Bonsai Expo. Submissions are closed, and having received hundreds of submissions we are thrilled to be fielding an outstanding selection of trees for the show in November.

The Jury process was very competitive with less than half the submissions being accepted. We also want to thank our jurists for their speedy effort.

If you submitted a tree, you should have received an email notification informing you of the acceptance, alternate status, or rejection by the jury. 

 

Submission Guidelines

Submission Period: February 1 - April 30, 2022.

  1. Select a judging category for your submission.
  2. Prepare submission photos according to the category requirements below.
  3. Identify the height and species name of each tree in your submission. Tree height is measured from the top of the pot to the apex for upright trees and from the apex to the lowest branch for cascade bonsai. (For submissions from outside of California, see out of state requirements below.)
  4. Email the above photos and information to pacificbonsaiexpo@gmail.com by April 30th, 2022.

Submission Categories

For examples and a discussion of the submission categories, see the video Pacific Bonsai Expo Categories and Prizes below. 

Large Deciduous (trees over 18" tall)

  • Provide one photo of the tree in winter silhouette (without leaves)

Large Broadleaf Evergreen (trees over 18" tall)

  • Provide one photo of the tree from the front.
  • Provide one photo of the tree showing the branch structure (see first photo here for an example).

Large Conifer (trees over 18" tall; includes deciduous conifers)

  • Provide one photo of the tree from the front.
  • Provide one photo of the tree showing the branch structure (see first photo here for an example).

Medium Bonsai Display (up to two trees, no tree over 18" tall)

  • Provide one photo of each tree in the display from the front (or one photo showing both trees together).
  • Provide one photo of each deciduous tree in winter silhouette (without leaves).

Small Bonsai Display (no tree over 8" tall)

  • Provide one photo of each tree in the display from the front (or one photo showing both trees together).
  • Provide one photo of each deciduous tree in winter silhouette (without leaves).

Note for accepted entries: A photo of the complete display, including stands and accent plants, along with an artist's statement, will be required before September 15th.

Photography tips: Photograph trees against a plain backdrop so the jurors can see the tree clearly. 

See the following articles for additional tips:

Exhibitor's FAQ

Is it free to submit a tree to the jury?

  • Yes, it is free to submit a tree for consideration. 

Can I submit more than one tree for consideration?

  • Yes, there is no limit on the number of submissions an individual can submit.

Is there a fee to display my tree at the exhibit?

  • Yes, exhibitors will pay an $85 fee for each display. 

Can I get a waiver for the exhibitor's fee?

  • Exhibitor's fees are required for all accepted entries. If you are affiliated with a bonsai club, your club may sponsor an entry on your behalf. Contact the organizers for additional information.

Who are the exhibition jurors?

  • Bjorn Bjorholm, Ryan Neil, and William N. Valavanis are the jurors responsible for determining which trees are accepted for display. To learn more about the jurying process, see Exhibit Tree Selection and Judging.

Who are the exhibition judges?

I have a tree for the exhibit, but I need a pot/stand/accent/etc.  Can I rent or borrow one for the exhibit?

Do I get free passes if my tree or trees are accepted for the exhibit?

  • Yes. Exhibitors will receive one weekend pass ahead of the event.

What are the dimensions of the display space?

  • Display table dimensions are 72" L x 29.5" W x 29" H. Contact the organizers if you feel that your tree will not fit in this space.

Will I have help setting up my display at the event?

  • Exhibitors are responsible for setting up their own displays. If you need a cart to move your tree, we suggest you bring one. Although volunteers will be onsite to help with setup, we cannot guarantee they will be available to help with specific displays.

When do I need to bring my tree?

  • Exhibitors are required to bring all items for their display to The Bridge Yard between 9:00 a.m. Thursday, November 10 and 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11.

When can I take down my display?

  • Exhibitors can pack up their displays after 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 13th. 

Are there size limits for the trees I can submit?

  • We expect most submissions to be between 4" and 40" tall measured from the top of the pot to the top of the tree. If you have a tree that is outside this range you can contact the organizers to see if we can accommodate your tree.

Are bonsai professionals eligible to submit trees for the exhibition?

  • Yes. We strongly encourage all bonsai practitioners, professional or otherwise, to submit trees for consideration.

Can a single tree win more than one prize?

  • Yes. Although no tree can win more than one category award (Best conifer, Best deciduous, Best broadleaf evergreen, Best Medium, Best Shohin), the top top-scoring category winner will receive the Best in Show Award.

Will my tree be photographed?

  • Yes. Photography will be allowed during the exhibit, and the organizers will photograph exhibited trees for use on the event website or in a commemorative album.

Will there be security at the event?

  • Yes. The event will have professional security guards onsite continuously  Thursday morning through Sunday evening. Volunteer security staff will be on duty when the event is open to visitors.

Agricultural requirements for out of state submissions

Phytosanitary certificates stating that trees are free from pests or diseases are required for all trees entering California. Contact your local agricultural department to schedule an appointment for obtaining phytosanitary certificates.

Additional state or species specific requirements:

  • All persimmon (Dyospyros): entry prohibited.
  • All citrus including fortunella, murraya, poncirus, aeglopsis and afraegle: no entry.
  • All plums from CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, WV, DC: entry prohibited. 
  • All walnut, butternut, hickory, or pecan from OR, WA, ID, UT, AZ, NV: entry prohibited.
  • Any plant with fruit or berries from all states east of and including ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, TX, and parts of UT must have certification of treatment for plum curculio and blueberry maggot.
  • Any plant with fruit or berries from FL or PR must have certification of treatment for Caribbean fruit fly.
  • Any Chestnut, Chinquapin, Oak, and Tanbark Oak require inspection or certification of treatment for Chestnut Bark and Oak Wilt Disease.
  • Any wild or domesticated cherry tree with fruit from ID, MT, NM, OR, UT, WA, CO require certification of treatment for cherry fruit fly.

Please review the complete requirements from the State of California for details.