Services & Policies

NEBG's Professional Services and Rates 

Welcome to NEBG's Services and Labor Rates! At New England Bonsai Garden, we're passionate about ensuring your bonsai thrive and look their best. Like any living art, bonsai requires regular maintenance to stay healthy and beautifully styled. From weeding and trimming to pest control and disease prevention, our dedicated team is here to provide the care your bonsai needs to flourish.  

Peace of Mind Plant Sitting and Boarding: 

Whether you're jetting off on vacation, seeking refuge from harsh winters, or need your trees to take a rejuvenating break in our meticulously tended greenhouses, we've been providing exceptional care to tens of thousands of trees since 1987, and we'd love to care for yours too.  

Our state-of-the-art facility offers the perfect environment for your bonsai:   

  • Temperature Controlled Greenhouses with backup heaters and generators 
  • Individual Hand Watering (we're old school in that way) 
  • Fertilizing 
  • Maintenance trimming 
  • Pest Control Treatment 
  • Personalized care and oversight by professionals 
  • Locked greenhouses with 24-hour video monitoring  

Short-Term Tree Sitting 

Heading out on vacation and worried about your bonsai getting the proper care?   

We offer short-term boarding services to ease your mind. Here's how it works:  

  1. Schedule a drop-off time using the following link >> Tree Sitting Calendar
  2. In the comments section, explain the duration, the number of trees (and species) you'd like us to board, and whether additional services are needed.  
  3. When you drop off your bonsai, we'll give it a thorough check-up, take pictures of your trees, and recommend services, if needed.   

Our boarding service includes daily TLC. If your tree needs a longer vacation, we'll step up our game with maintenance pruning and feeding to keep it happy and healthy.   

Our Tree Sitting and Winter Boarding Rates Are as Follows:

 

Cold Hardy

to 18” (S)

Tropical 

to 18” (S)

Cold Hardy

19-30” (M)

Tropical

19-30” (M)

Cold Hardy

31-40” (L)

Tropical

31-40” (L)

2 Weeks

$25

$25

$25

Month

$35

$45

$75

Season

$75

$90

$135

$150

$195

$225

Long-Term Seasonal & Winter Boarding Services 

We understand the unique challenges that Winter in New England brings. That's why we offer a specialized Winter Boarding Program.   

  • Tropical Bonsai: September 15th to May 15th  
  • Cold Hardy Bonsai: October 15th to April 15th   

Whether you're jetting off or seeking refuge from frosty temperatures, rest assured your bonsai will receive expert care in our nurturing environment. It's our commitment to ensuring your trees thrive year-round, no matter the season or conditions.  

Here's how it works:  

  1. Schedule a drop-off time using the following link >> Tree Sitting Calendar
  2. In the comments section, explain the duration, the number of trees (and species) you'd like us to board, and whether additional services are needed.  
  3. When you drop off your bonsai, we'll give it a thorough check-up, take pictures of your trees, and recommend services, if needed.   

Note: You must schedule an appointment. We may not be able to accept walk-ins. Also, please prepare your trees for their new home, such as weeding them.  

Finally, if you know your trees have pests, please notify us. We may ask that you reschedule. We will not accept trees with pests on a typical Winter Boarding Drop-off.     

Our Tree Sitting and Winter Boarding Rates Are as Follows:

 

Cold Hardy

to 18” (S)

Tropical 

to 18” (S)

Cold Hardy

19-30” (M)

Tropical

19-30” (M)

Cold Hardy

31-40” (L)

Tropical

31-40” (L)

2 Weeks

$25

$25

$25

Month

$35

$45

$75

Season

$75

$90

$135

$150

$195

$225

Professional Services:  

NEBG provides a range of professional bonsai services geared towards nurturing and enhancing bonsai trees' health, aesthetics, and longevity.  

Key services include: 

  • Pruning and styling: Involves selectively trimming branches and shaping the tree to achieve a harmonious appearance.  
  • Repotting: Crucial for refreshing the tree's root system, providing essential nutrients, and preventing soil compaction.  
  • Advanced techniques include grafting, wiring, carving, and deadwood preservation to customize the tree's growth and appearance.  
  • Pest and Disease Control: Bonsai trees are susceptible to pests and diseases hindering their health. Our specialists are well-versed in identifying and treating common bonsai-related issues. With our vigilant monitoring and proactive approach, we will ensure early detection and prompt intervention to keep your bonsai free from harmful pests and diseases.  

Our skilled professionals specialize in providing professional bonsai services tailored to the specific requirements of each tree species.  

Here's how it works:  

Schedule a drop-off time using the following link >> Tree Sitting Calendar

  1. Select the services needed (check box) 
  2. Select the number of trees you need help with (check box) 
  3. When you drop off your bonsai, we'll give it a thorough check-up, take pictures of your trees, and recommend additional services, if needed.   

Before you bring your bonsai to us, we may contact you by phone or email for further details and may request photos.   

However, the process is straightforward. You'll drop off your tree at an agreed-upon or scheduled time, and we'll assess the scope of work needed. At drop-off time, we'll provide you with an estimate for the services and any potential add-ons and outline the next steps.  

Our fees vary from $90 to $125 per hour, contingent on the services required, with a minimum charge of $45. If necessary, additional items, such as soil, bonsai containers, or specialized tools, will be added to your invoice.  

Note: We require a minimum boarding period of one week, as we do not (very rarely) offer "real-time" professional services. We highly recommend a minimum one-month stay in our nursery for optimal results and care.   

Personalized & Customized Services 

Our professional bonsai services are customized to meet your needs and preferences. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced enthusiast seeking advanced techniques, we've got you covered.  

Private 1-on-1 Sessions: We personalized one-on-one sessions tailored to your skill level and bonsai goals. Our experienced instructors will guide you through each step, providing hands-on instruction and invaluable insights to help you with styling, repotting, or whatever else you might need help with.  

On-site at NEBG Fees:  

  • Hourly Rate: $125 per person, with a minimum booking of 1 hour. For a more extended session, enjoy 3 hours for $350. 
  • While we strive to accommodate your needs, sessions may only extend up to the allocated time. We'll contact you upon scheduling to discuss your specific goals, the trees you intend to work on, and any other pertinent details.  

Off-Site – your location:  

  • Hourly Rate: $125 per person, with a minimum booking rate of $500.  
  • Must be scheduled at least 30 days in advance.  
  • Travel Time and Expenses will be additional.   

Corporate Workshops: Whether you're a small business seeking enjoyable downtime or a corporation aiming to strengthen team unity with a distinctive bonding activity, our private bonsai workshops offer an ideal solution.  

These hands-on sessions are led by experts on-site at NEBG (preferably) and off-site at your facilities.   

Our workshops are like lively bonsai garden parties, where participants swap creative ideas and dive into hands-on experiences. It's a journey that deepens their love for the art of bonsai, cultivates camaraderie, and hones their talents, making learning feel more like a thrilling adventure than a task. 

Corporate Fees: A facilitated workshop for a small group might cost between $500 and $2,000, or $30 and $200 per person for a half to full-day event. Demonstration? Workshop? How many facilitators are needed?  

More significant and more involved events are more expensive. For example, a half-day event for a small group might cost between $3,500 and $7,000, while a full-day event for 50 people might cost between $9,000 and $16,000.  

Let's Collaborate!  

We're excited to discuss how the art of bonsai can align with your business objectives. Whether you prefer the convenience of bringing our nursery to your location or hosting your event at NEBG, we're here to accommodate your needs. However, please note that we require 20-30 days' notice for scheduling to ensure we can meet your expectations effectively. Let's start planning your unique corporate bonsai experience today!  

Garden Club Demonstrations: A bonsai demonstration for garden clubs is an engaging presentation where an experienced bonsai artist showcases the intricate techniques and principles of bonsai cultivation and styling.   

During the demonstration, participants learn about the artistry behind shaping and maintaining bonsai trees and practical tips for nurturing these miniature masterpieces.   

The demonstrator may perform live styling on a bonsai tree, explaining each step and sharing insights into design aesthetics, horticultural practices, and the cultural significance of bonsai.  

It's an immersive and educational experience that inspires garden club members to explore the captivating world of bonsai and apply newfound knowledge to their gardening endeavors.  

On-site at NEBG Fees:  

  • 3 Hour Demonstration Rate: $350. We can host approximately 20 people comfortably.  
  • Includes a walking tour of the nursery and refreshments such as water and snacks 
  • Generally hosted after 4 pm  

Off-Site – your location:  

  • The 3-hour demonstration Rate is $450. The Bonsai professional will bring the necessary tools and accessories for the demonstration, which must be scheduled at least 30 days in advance.  
  • Travel Time and Expenses will be additional.   

If you're entrusting your bonsai to us, we kindly ask that they arrive weed-free, with any dead foliage removed, and, if necessary, treated for pests and diseases. Rest assured, we prioritize using environmentally safe sprays whenever possible, ensuring the health of your bonsai and our planet.