It is the goal of the North American Bonsai Federation (NABF) to exhibit the finest fall fruiting and/or foliage bonsai in North America. The Fall Fruit & Foliage Exhibition will be held at Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton, Michigan on October 17 & 18, 2026. pplicants are encouraged to submit for consideration what they assess to be the best fall fruiting and/or foliage bonsai in their collection. The selection panel will choose from the entries submitted those trees that they believe best represents the style and diversity of fall fruiting and/or foliage bonsai. Application process is open to all.
Deadline to apply is July 1, 2026, selection of bonsai will be conducted by a juried panel. A maximum of two bonsai may be entered for jury consideration. There is no entry fee; although, if your tree is selected, we ask that a bonsai-related item of value is donated to the auction for the event.
Applicants will be required to supply their own stand(s), the NABF does not maintain a collection of stands. Accessories, such as accent plants, stones or artifacts are not required but strongly encouraged. Scrolls are optional. If you plan to display accessories alongside your tree, please include either or both with your photo submission, if possible. The juried panel will assume accessories included in the photographs will be displayed with the tree at the exhibition.
Trees accepted for exhibition can be delivered to Hidden Lake Gardens on Friday, October 16, 2026 between 10 AM - 3 PM. Any bonsai received after the time will NOT be exhibited. Trees will be spot watered throughout the weekend of the event, but please make sure your tree(s) are watered thoroughly before delivery.
The North American Bonsai Federation (NABF) reserves the right, in conjunction with feedback from Hidden Lake Gardens, to reorganize and move tree / displays around the Exhibition at its discretion, for aesthetic or logistic purposes, at any point during the Exhibition. Lighting is fixed within the Exhibition; tree owners are not able or allowed to modify the lighting above or around his/her tree(s).
Disclaimer: The North American Bonsai Federation (NABF), Hidden Lake Gardens, and Michigan State University are not responsible for loss, theft or damage of items placed for Exhibition.
If you need assistance completed this form, please contact the Hidden Lake Gardens office at hlg@msu.edu and 517-431-2060.