Did You Know That Bonsai Is More Than Just a Tree?

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH BONSAI SOCIETY

When you hear the word “bonsai,” you may think of the small, carefully manicured trees, but the term also refers to the Japanese art of growing and tending to the plants; At the Pittsburgh Bonsai Society’s 45th Annual Bonsai Show, the art of caring will be just as much on display as the trees themselves. 

Since the Pittsburgh Bonsai Society was founded in 1957 — it was one of the first bonsai societies in the U.S. — it has aimed to foster the art of bonsai throughout the region by disseminating knowledge, encouraging others and generating interest in the hobby through lectures and demonstrations, according to its website. Its annual shows offer the opportunity to do exactly that.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Millvale Community Center. Spanning nearly half a century, it has become a longstanding regional tradition, bringing together bonsai enthusiasts, gardeners, artists and community members alike. 

Adam Brown, a member of the group since 2018 — and a practitioner of bonsai for the better part of two decades — says the event aims to make bonsai accessible to all.

“Our goal is to share our passion and knowledge of the art of bonsai,” Brown says. “We spend years — or even decades — perfecting these living works of art, and the show provides us an opportunity to share our dedication with others. I think it’s safe to say every member is looking forward to sharing their trees with the public.”

The 2026 show will feature a bonsai tree gallery with an assortment of different plants, tree-styling demos, expert advice and live plants available for purchase, along with starter materials and supplies.

This year will also see a few new vendors: Hanging Tuft will be selling tufted rugs and embroidery, and tattoo artist Jess Scutella of Kyklops Tattoo will be in attendance offering bonsai-inspired flash tattoos. 

“There is also rumor we may bring back the People’s Choice Award, so the public can decide which trees are their favorite,” Brown says. 

Admission to the show is free, and the group encourages folks to keep an eye on its social media pages for updates.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Pittsburgh Bonsai Society can visit its membership page. Annual membership is $40 for an individual and $45 for families. No prior experience with bonsai is necessary; society meetings range from lectures and slide shows to demonstrations and hands-on workshops of various techniques necessary to successfully grow and enjoy bonsai.