MBS

Tom has been working with bonsai for over twenty years. While enjoying all manner of potential material, Tom really enjoys working with conifers and collected trees. With a career as a technical project manager for many years, Tom is currently completing his horticulture degree in landscape design to further his knowledge and work full time with plants instead of computers. Tom got his start in bonsai studying with Ivan Watters at Yasakunai Bonsai Nursery. He eventually became an instructor and started teaching at the nursery. Tom is a member of Sosunu Nakumura’s Chicago-based study group and has continued to study with Walter Pall. When not working with plants, Tom plays guitar for the band Against the Grain, works on ad-hoc design and layout projects and helps people with computer issues.

He has served as a judge for bonsai shows in the Illinois/Wisconsin area and has enjoyed being a long time contributor and judge at the Wisconsin State Fair for the Milwaukee Bonsai Society. He was our presenter and workshop artist 2011 and can often be working at the Chicago Botanic Garden when his schedule permits.