How to Find a Bonsai Club Through the American Bonsai Society

Updated

The American Bonsai Society (ABS) maintains a bonsai club directory covering clubs across the United States and Canada, reachable from the "Find a Club!" link on its homepage. Use it if you want a local group to learn with; it is separate from ABS membership, so you can locate a club without joining the national society.

What the club directory covers

ABS lists bonsai clubs in two regional sections:

  • Bonsai Clubs – USA
  • Bonsai Clubs – Canada

The site describes the directory as covering "dozens of bonsai clubs across the United States," and frames clubs as a way to "help you on your bonsai journey." The directory is a listing service — ABS does not state that it runs or vets each club, so treat entries as starting points for your own inquiry.

How to find a club

  1. Go to americanbonsaisociety.org.
  2. Open the Bonsai Clubs section from the site menu (the homepage also has a Find a Club! button).
  3. Choose Bonsai Clubs – USA or Bonsai Clubs – Canada depending on where you live.
  4. Scan the list for clubs in your state or province, then contact the club directly using the details provided to confirm meeting times, location, and whether beginners are welcome.

Expected result: a shortlist of nearby clubs you can contact. Common snag: a listing may be outdated — if a club doesn't respond, check whether it has its own website or social page before giving up on the area.

Why joining a local club helps

ABS presents clubs as part of learning and growing in bonsai, alongside its other educational offerings. A local club typically gives you:

  • In-person help with tree care and styling from experienced growers
  • Access to workshops, shows, and shared resources in your region
  • A route to mentorship — the ABS site itself points to finding a mentor as part of learning

For structured national programming, ABS also offers learning seminars (the 2027 seminars are scheduled for March 11–14 in New Orleans) and the Joshua Roth / ABS New Talent Contest, open to anyone in North America involved with bonsai for fewer than 10 years.

Club directory vs. ABS membership

These are different things, and the distinction matters when deciding what to sign up for:

Club directory ABS membership
What it is A list of regional clubs in the US and Canada Paid membership in the national society
Purpose Find a local group near you National publications, resources, and programs
What you get Contact details for clubs to approach yourself BONSAI: The Journal of the American Bonsai Society, monthly e-mail newsletter, care guides and articles, education materials, learning seminars, new talent competition, ABS Award of Merit, John Naka award
Cost No cost stated for using the directory Membership options are listed on the ABS site; pricing is not shown here

If your goal is local, hands-on learning, start with the club directory. If you also want the journal, newsletter, and national programs, review the membership options page on the ABS site for current terms before joining.