The Midwest Bonsai Society held their 40th annual exhibit on August 18-20, 2017 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL. Having attended, exhibited and selling all 40 of the exhibits (except for two when our home burned down seven years ago) I can say the quality of the trees is improving, especially with the professional category in my opinion. There are many more companion plantings displayed with the bonsai and this year there are many more suiseki on display.

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Best of Show: Twisted trunk pomegranate by Dr. Gary Andes

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First Prize in the professional division: Kahima Japanese maple by Wm. N. Valavanis

Second Prize in the professional division: Japanese black pine by Mark Fields

Kathy Shaner from California spent considerable time, all day on Friday, judging the bonsai and making comments for improvements for the exhibitors.

The many parking lots were full on Saturday, but crowds visiting…