Below are some answers to questions about the Bonsai School at Lake Merritt that you may find very helpful. These questions were submitted by one of our applicants. If you have additional questions or want more information about the School, please email us at [email protected] or just respond to this post.

1)     Thank you for offering the classes on weekends.Please confirm that the frequency of classes will be one per month in Oakland at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt on Saturdays?
We will publish a full schedule shortly. Classes will either be one per month on Saturdays or sometimes on a Saturday and Sunday. Some of our instructors prefer a weekend intensive more than just one day. Either way, there will be just 10 daylong sessions per year.

2)     Is lab time within class time or as independent home study?
Lab exercises will be held during the class time usually in the afternoon after a morning of discussion or lecture.

3)     Beyond class time, will any additional time in the Garden be required?
No. We don’t want to tire the students out and realize that they have full schedules beyond the School.

4)     Do you know when I would know if I am accepted to the program?
We plan on notifying the accepted students in late November or early December. The sooner we receive your application, the better for both you and us.

5)     When will classes start?
The first class is slated for January, 2015.

6)     Will we be working on school or student owned trees or a combination?
We will mostly work on School supplied trees but occasionally will want to work on the students’ trees.

7)     What is the student’s approximate monthly time commitment in addition to class time?
There will be no commitment to spend additional time at the Garden, but there may be some home study activity.

8)     Are there any docent/volunteer requirements at the Garden while attending classes?
There will be no additional Garden volunteer requirements as part of the School for at least the first year of study.  Again, we wish to respect the time spent by the student away from their normal schedule.

9)     Will each Level of classes be scheduled for the full year in advance?
Yes, the first year’s schedule will be released soon and each succeeding year will also be set well in advance of the year upcoming. Sometimes schedules will need to change due to the availability of instructors but hopefully not often. 

10)      How do I learn more about the Bonsai School at Lake Merritt and apply?
You can email us at [email protected] and let us know you are interested. We are happy to hear from you.