Click to proceed to registration:

2008-2009

THE BASICS:
INTRO TO BONSAI
Sept 14, Oct 11, Nov 18
10-12:30
$65; all materials incl

Class at Bonsai West

This 2-1/2 hour class gives you all the basics to get started (and, we hope, addicted!). With a focus on care, learn and the basics of Bonsai design. Apply moss, landscape with rocks, and begin to 'see' what the art of Bonsai is all about as you create your very own bonsai to take home.

Sept 14Oct 11Nov 18

Go to checkout attop of page to proceed


YOURS, MINE, OURS:
A Class for Two


Aug 23,
Sept 20, Oct 25, Nov 22
1-4 pm
$120; all materials incl.
(NOTE: 1 class registration is for 2 students)

Class at Bonsai West

A class for two: designed for those who want to discover this great hobby together. Spouses or friends, parents and kids, even grandparents and children have enjoyed this great bonsai experience together.

Each person learns the basics by creating a beautiful tropical bonsai individually, then, each pair collaborates to create one large tree together.
Make a gift to each other by joining forces and making bonsai!

NOTE: The class originally scheduled for Sept 27 has been changed to Sept 20 so as not to interfere with our annual Fall Open House

Aug 23Sept 20Oct 25Nov 22

Go to checkout attop of page to proceed



GET WIRED!
Bonsai Open Workshop

February - November, on the 1st and 3rd Sun. of the month 1 - 4pm

8/17;   9/7; 9/21;  10/5;  10/19

$20; no registration required

Get Wired! at Bonsai West

An Afternoon of Bonsai Projects:

Whether you are just starting out in Bonsai or you have a collection that makes the neighbors jealous, you will love the Bonsai West Workshops!
Bring your trees, your ideas, your friends, and let’s make Bonsai!
You decide the goals for the day, we supply the expertise.
You bring your pots and trees, we’ve got the tools and techniques. Pruning, shaping and styling, transplanting, wiring and mossing - together we will make the most of your personal collection.
Bring your trees in for wiring and pruning projects, design changes, or whatever you have in mind.

This hands-on workshop allows students to work freely on their own trees under our excellent guidance. A perennial favorite of all of our customers, bring your trees and enthusiasm and lets go!

$20.00 per session, no advance registration required.

NEW FOR 2008: THE 'INTRODUCTION TO . . .' SERIES

Bonsai West is proud to offer an exciting series of classes that deal directly with the most popular trees used in Bonsai. The classes below will tackle one tree or species at a time. Students choose the material that they wish to work on prior to the class.

Note: while the 'Introduction to..." series is appropriate for all levels, we recommend strongly that students will have previously taken a beginner's class such as Intro to Bonsai.


INTRODUCTION TO CONIFERS

February 21, 2009
1-4
$40 plus material

Introduction to Classical Styles at Bonsai West

Conifers make up some of the oldest and most powerful trees in the bonsai west collection including Juniper, Pine, Spruce, Larch, Cypress and even Redwoods.
This class will be divided between a lecture/ demo covering care and maintenance design and pruning techniques, and workshop time for students to create a new tree for their collection.

We have a wide range of stock plants for students to work with starting at just $15. (purchased at class time)

Feb 21, 2009


Go to checkout attop of page to proceed


INTRODUCTION TO CLASSICAL JAPANESE STYLES OF BONSAI

Sept 6, Jan 31, 2009
1-4 pm
$40 plus materials

Introduction to Classical Styles at Bonsai West

This Bonsai class is devoted to learning the basics of traditional Japanese design. From this foundation students will be able to recognize good future bonsai potential from young untrained trees.

Trees mature one way in nature: but to replicate this natural beauty in a bonsai pot is often not as easy as it looks.

The Japanese have formalized many of these natural shapes and have given definition to the different styles of bonsai including: Informal and Formal Upright, Forest Planting, Cascade, Literati and Windswept styles.

In this class, students will become knowledgeable with training trees in these different styles and will have the choice to create a tree in any of the styles.

A wide assortment of trees in all price ranges will be available, starting at $15 (purchased at class time)

Sept 6Jan 31, 2009


Go to checkout attop of page to proceed


INTRODUCTION TO DECIDUOUS TREES

Oct 4, 1-4 pm, Mar 28, 2009
$40 plus material

Introduction to Deciduous Trees at Bonsai West

Deciduous trees are some of the most colorful trees to grow in the New England climate.
These trees include the Japanese Maple, Chinese Elms, fruiting trees such as Crab Apple, Hornbeams, and Beech, just to name a few.

Students will have an opportunity to create a new deciduous tree or work on their own material brought from home.

There will be a wide range of inexpensive material available to work with.
Material cost: $25-$50 (purchased at class time)

Oct 4Mar 28, 2009


Go to checkout attop of page to proceed


INTRODUCTION TO TROPICAL BONSAI

next date tba
$40 plus material

Introduction to Tropical Bonsai at Bonsai West

Tropical trees are often referred to as indoor bonsai.

Here in New England we have the luxury to grow outdoor and indoor bonsai simultaneously. Favorite varieties include the Fig, Arboricola, Brazilian Rain Tree,Texas Ebony, Surinam Cherry, and Portulacaria, just to name a few.

Learn what it takes to keep trees healthy indoors and add a new tree to your collection.

Material cost $10-$35 (purchased at class time)

date tba


Go to checkout attop of page to proceed


INTRODUCTION TO FLOWERING BONSAI:
THE JAPANESE AZALEA

next date tba
$40 plus material

Introduction to Flowering Bonsai

The Japanese Satsuki Azalea is a broad-leaf evergreen and has some of the most beautiful flowers of any species of tree.

Students will learn particulars such as pruning, transplanting, feeding and winter care as well as creating a beautiful new bonsai.

We have set aside a nice selection of trees to choose from - or bring your own to work on.

Material cost: $25-$35 (purchased at class time)

date tba


Go to checkout attop of page to proceed


THE BONSAI WEST EXTENSION SCHOOL


LARCH FOREST PLANTING
$40 plus material
Feb 28, 2009
1-4pm

Larch Forest, Bonsai West

INTERMEDIATE CLASS

These larch were collected in a Maine bog early last spring. They are now very well established and beautiful little trees. They all have aged bark and tapering trunks with excellent branches.
When we taught this class last year students created wonderful Larch landscapes. Come in any time to view this material.
All material for this class will be sold at specially discounted Extension School prices.
Estimated cost for material: between $125-$175

Feb 28, 2009


Go to checkout attop of page to proceed


TRIDENT MAPLE FOREST
Oct 4,
Mar 28 2009

$40 plus material

1-4pm

Trident Maple Grove at Bonsai West

INTERMEDIATE CLASS

We have set aside a great crop of trident maples for this class. Originally grown inVancouver, Canada, these trees have nice little trunks and excellent character. Students can create either a five- or a seven-tree-forest.

All material will be available including pots and rocks at special Extension School prices. Estimated cost for material: between $90 - $175

Oct 4Mar 28, 2009


Go to checkout attop of page to proceed


SCENIC LANDSCAPING

$40 plus material

April 12, 2009

Scenic Landscaping Class at Bonsai West

BEGINNER'S CLASS

A perfect Extension School class for beginners. Students will be given a huge selection of plant material in which to choose from to create a beautiful and colorful miniature landscape garden.
Maples, elms, pines, azalea and other flowering evergreens all will be available to choose from. Trees will be offered at special Extension School prices.

Estimated cost for material: approx $50-$75

April 12, 2009


Go to checkout attop of page to proceed


SEASONS OF BONSAI :

FREE LECTURE/DEMO
Sept 28, 2-4pm

Bonsai budding in Spring

 

During our Fall Open House (Sept 27-28), Michael will be giving a FREE lecture/demo on the art of Bonsai.

Don't miss this exciting and fast-paced event: open to all levels of bonsai hobbyists.


MINIATURE BONSAI:
MAME AND SHOHIN

$40 plus material
next date tba

mame bonsai

BEGINNER'S CLASS

The Japanese word for the smallest of the miniature bonsai, trees that can fit on three fingers of your hand is "Mame", "Shohin" are slightly larger and fit in your palm.

These small trees never stop amazing their viewers, but they are far more than 'cute': I think of them as magical.

This class will offer some of our finest small stock plants for you to choose from: Dwarf cultivars of Azalea, Pine, Elm, and assorted tropical trees will be available.
Students will have enough time to make one or two of the little gems.

Estimated cost for material: $25-$40

date tba

Go to checkout attop of page to proceed


SEASONS OF BONSAI:
PREPARING FOR SUMMER

$40, students bring their own trees or pick up a stock plant from us

next date tba

summer at Bonsai West

INTERMEDIATE CLASS

Just come on down, bring your own tree(s) and spend the afternoon working.
There is no better way to improve your bonsai tree and your bonsai skills than to put some quality time into it with great instruction and great company.

Bring one of your favorite trees or just pick up a stock plant before the class starts. This open workshop is designed for intermediate students who want to push their skills to the next level.

date tba

Go to checkout attop of page to proceed


BRAZILIAN RAIN TREE

$40 plus material
next date tba

Bonsai West: Tropical Bonsai

BEGINNER'S CLASS

The Brazilian Rain Tree is an excellent, graceful tree for the beginning student to work with.
Its fine foliage delicate branching and thick trunk is very attractive, and while in our climate they are treated as indoor Bonsai, a mature Brazilian Rain Tree is as powerful as the best of the outdoor trees.

This class will concentrate on creating bonsai from stock plants and students will learn pruning, wiring and transplanting.
We have set aside a great selection of these trees , all well on their way to becoming specimen trees.
Material costs will be between $35-$50

date tba

Go to checkout attop of page to proceed

SEASONS OF BONSAI :
AUTUMN

$40, students work on their own trees or 'borrow' one of ours

Oct 12
12-4pm

Larch Bonsai in Fall

INTERMEDIATE CLASS

 

Oct 12


Go to checkout attop of page to proceed


PRIVATE WORKSHOPS with MICHAEL LEVIN
PRIVATE AND SEMI-PRIVATE WORKSHOPS
w. Michael Levin
ongoing:
2nd Tuesday of the month
6 - 9 pm

By appointment only:
call 978-486-3556 orsend us an email.

If you would like to be put on a call list for semi-private classes, please let us know!

Michael Levin, Bonsai West

I am setting aside the second Tuesday evening of each month for private lessons.
Topics are of my students' choosing: you may want to bring in one of your own trees for detail work or choose a topic and have me teach you privately, using my own or your material.

I have worked with Bonsai for over twenty five years, and I have always considered myself a student of the art. Over the years I have been fortunate to be able to study the techniques of many of the leading contemporary bonsai teachers.

My own strength as a teacher comes from my strong belief that it's not only about Bonsai but about the interaction between you and your tree, that beautiful bonsai comes from the evolution and love between the tree and its care giver.

Private Class (one student): 3-hour class: $200

Semi-Private Classes: 3-hour class for 2 students: $125 each
                                      3-hour class for 3-students: $90 each


Our Cancellation Policy:
If you are unable to attend a class you have registered for,
we require 3 days notice in order to give you a full refund.
This allows us to fill your space from the waiting list
We appreciate your understanding.

Gift certificates for classes are available - call to order:
978-486-3556


100 Great Rd (2A/119)
Littleton, MA 01460
9 7 8 - 4 8 6 - 3 5 5 6

Comments on our site? Suggestions? Drop us a line!