Bonsai: Journal of the American Bonsai Society is a technical journal that is published for Bonsai Enthusiast. The journal is available to enthusiasts worldwide who subscribe to it through our mailing list.

The website Essentials and Features pages are also published for Bonsai Enthusiast worldwide.

Both the journal and website contains articles that describe new technologies, interesting applications or provide tips and techniques which help enthusiasts to improve their knowledge, artistic development and simply do a better job. We also publish book reviews and product presentations, if they are of interest to the bonsai community.

What are we looking for?

• Interesting and relevant articles about current technology and future trends (what to learn next?)
• How-to articles on artistic and horticultural development, e.g. using powertools, wiring techniques, changes to pesticides and fertilizers, collecting, etc. including photographs and illustrations.
• Horticultural tips and techniques (e.g. Wintering)
• Articles on styles and tree design
• Articles on drip systems, stands, and nursery care
• Book reviews
• Tree studies
• Regional issues
• Displaying bonsai
• Let us know if you have an interesting topic to suggest, whether you'd like to submit the article yourself or if you wish us to cover it. Send an e-mail to: David J. Rowe, ABS Journal Editor

Article specifications

• Articles should be aimed towards the bonsai community. We are not interested in purely promotional articles.
• There is no minimal length: write as much as is needed to cover the topic you are writing about. If an article is too long to be published in one issue, it can always be split in two or three parts.
• File format: we can use Microsoft Word files or text (.txt) if using a Mac. Graphics can be in almost any PC format (sorry, no Mac).
• Pictures can be sent low resolution (72dpi) jpg or gif format. But for the printer a much higher resolution will be needed. If your article is is printed in the Journal, 300 dpi images or traditional photographs or slides will would be nice.
• Please include a short bio for each author, a picture is welcome, too (.jpg or .gif format)
• We assume that the copyright of all submitted articles is owned by or granted to the submitter. Articles reflect the opinion of the submittee and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial team. We must decline every responsibility regarding technical correctness or truth of submitted articles and opinions.
• Once published in the Journal, we don't mind if you wish to publish it elsewhere. We'd appreciate a mention of ABS in such a case.
• Reprints: we publish already published articles only in exceptional cases, e.g. if the topic is judged of high interest to our readership.