MBS

In April 2014, Chris Baker began work as the first full-time curator of bonsai at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where he maintains approximately 175 bonsai trees. Previously, from 2011 to early 2014, he was an intern and volunteer at the United States National Arboretum's National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington, D.C. As an active member of the Maryland bonsai community, Baker gave many demonstrations and talks at the Potomac Bonsai Association Spring Show in Washington, D.C., as well as, to garden clubs. Baker spent six months in 2012 studying bonsai with third-generation bonsai master Tohru Suzuki at the Daijuen Nursery in Okazaki, Japan. Chris has always had an interest in horticulture, but his introduction to bonsai started with his purchase of a bonsai juniper as a gift for a friend. When asked why he is so passionate about bonsai, Baker says, "Bonsai is a representation of the beauty and power of nature; it's the perfect mix of artistry, horticulture, and mechanical skills—it's living art." Essentially, the idea is to cultivate a tree in a tray that looks like a tree that could be found in nature. “A tree should take you to a place,” Baker added.

He has presented topics at several MBS meetings. These includes storing trees in winter and taking trees out of storage. This year, 2019, we will again be honered will a presentation.