Study Bonsai
Hone your skills and practice bonsai with us at Tree Makers. All classes and workshops are run by bonsai professional Hugh Grant at the Tree Makers garden and school in the Blue Mountains, NSW.
Tree Makers is a place to practice and study bonsai on an ongoing basis. Think of us as your bonsai gym, a place to hone your skills and develop exceptional bonsai. We encourage students of all skill levels and experience to attend our educational offerings. Our study experiences focus on following the seasons and advancing your trees through their various stages of development.
See below our latest upcoming Workshop offerings
Open Studio Study program
These monthly workshops offer students space, time, and resources to study and practice bonsai under professional mentorship. Open Study Workshops align with bonsai techniques that are appropriate for both the given season and the species you choose to work with. You will be guided to respond to your tree’s stage of development and adjust your techniques and approach according to the tree’s progress over time.
Workshops time is hands-on, with much of the time spent responding to your trees. Our aim is to deliver you the ability to study bonsai with seasonally-specific techniques, design, and horticultural applications to help you elevate your bonsai and your experience.
Bring your own tree or, work on skill-specific trees selected for you from our garden.
Click on a specific workshop for more details.
Additional workshops are added monthly. Stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter
Technical Workshops
Technical workshops are technique-focused tutorial and workshop sessions that will engage students in discussions and skill-building activities related to specific bonsai techniques. These workshops are designed to deepen your understanding and application of concepts and techniques, broadening the possibilities of bonsai practice.
Workshop Details
Expand your skillset and elevate your creativity within the repotting context through slab and stone plantings. This tutorial and workshop will equip you with the techniques to sculpt a root ball for stone planting, prepare and stone, and fix a tree to the stone. We will explore the theoretical fundamentals of these naturally looking compositions and provide you with an understanding of aftercare and management into the future. This workshop will consist of a combination of lectures, tutorials and workshop time creating compositions.
Only 4 positions are available in this workshop.
Duration
2 days
Day 1 - Saturday 2/08/25 - 9am - 5pm
Day 2 - Sunday 3/08/25 - 9am - 4pm
Schedule
Day 1 will consist of a lecture outlining the process and principles of slab and stone plantings. Following this, the class will collectively take part in creating a large composition to learn the techniques and concepts surrounding the process. This will be an engaging exercise, creating a one-of-a-kind rock planting under Hugh’s guidance.
Day 2 will begin with a lecture outlining the care and horticulture of managing a slab or stone planting. Following this, students will have the option to construct their own rock planting. Students will have the choice to either bring their own tree, or be provided with a skill-specific tree from our own garden. You may also purchase a tree from our sales inventory.
If bringing your own project, we ask that you only bring along 1 planned composition.
Materials
Trees - As mentioned above, students will have the choice to either bring their own tree, or be provided with a skill-specific tree from our own garden. You may also purchase a tree from our sales inventory.
If bringing your own project, we ask that you only bring 1 planned composition.
Stones - If you have a stone you are thinking of using, please bring this along; otherwise or additionally, we will have stones available for purchase during the workshop.
Tools - For this workshop, we will provide most of the repotting tools required, including specialty tools such as power tools etc. We simply require each student to provide their own Essentials tool set. If you do not have the required equipment, it can be purchased while on site here at Tree Makers or from our online store ahead of time.
Substrates - Provided are all the required substrates, prepared for the workshop for your use.
Catering
Refreshments are provided.
Lunch is BYO or can be catered for an additional fee of $35 per day, paid on the day.
Cost
$600
Click here to add more workshops
More Workshops coming soon
Private
Workshops
Individual Study
You can engage with Hugh at Tree Makers Bonsai Studio for a One-on-one study session at a time that works for you. This study option allows for a completely tailor-made learning experience, setting the ground for you to delve deeper into critical bonsai practice.
Sessions can involve: seasonal maintenance, practical techniques, styling & design, or repotting.
Group study
Arrange a private group workshop with us at Tree Makers Bonsai Studio.
Max 4 participants only.
Home Visits and Study Groups*
Hugh can also come to you at a location such as your home to assist with tree work, offer tuition, or conduct styling and maintenance work on your collection.
For groups, form a study group to meet seasonally or organise a one-off workshop at your home or organisation.
*For home visits, travel fees will apply and will differ depending on location
