Minnesota State Fair

MBS State Fair Judging Criteria 2015

RULES - Abbreviated Each exhibitor may display a maximum of 5 trees. Trees must be clean, healthy, and pest-free. Any plant material showing signs of disease or infestation will be denied entry. Entries accepted Thursday, September 3, from 10:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Late entries will not be accepted. Exhibitor completes 1 entry form per tree per completion instructions. No trees may be removed prior to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, September 5th and must be picked up by 10:00 p.m. Viewing stones may be exhibited without tree entry (and are encouraged) but will not be judged. A complete set of rules is provided along with the entry forms.

2011

CLASS There are 4 Class levels: Deciduous Coniferous Novice Exhibit Only

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS Deciduous – Type of Species. Exhibitor has maintained tree as bonsai for at least one year. Coniferous – Type of Species. Exhibitor has maintained tree as bonsai for at least one year. Novice – All Species. Entrants with 3 years or less experience, judging rules less strict. Exhibit Only – All Species. Not judged for Best in Show, critique available. Only trees entered in the Deciduous and Coniferous Classes are eligible for Best in Show. Trees previously awarded Best in Show, Novice and Exhibit Only trees are eligible for other awards. Judge’s critique available for Exhibit Only Class, if selected on entry form.

2011

DIVISONS Within each Class there are 5 Divisions: Small (8” or less) Medium (8” - 22”) Large (22” - ) Landscape (forest, penjing, sakei) Shoji Display Division category is exhibitor’s decision. When determining size, do not include the height of the pot. For landscape division, select the Class that best represents the trees in the composition.

Judging Criteria – Design Score Design Score (35 pts) Root structure Trunk and branch taper Silhouette Well proportioned – balanced Creative Container style, size, color, placement of tree Artistic Treatment of deadwood

Judging Criteria – Technique Score Technique Score (35 pts) Wiring (correctly applied, neat, unobtrusive, appropriately sized, effective) Appropriate leaf and needle reduction Branch placement Pruning (branch ramification, stubs, scarring) Properly groomed (dead leaves and twigs removed, old foliage and axillary growth removed, foliage thinned and pinched Container is clean and free of defects

Judging Criteria – Horticulture Score Horticulture Score (35 pts) Overall Health (color, vigor) Signs of insect or disease damage Environmental stress Potted properly (healthy roots, well distributed) Surface treatment (presence of weeds, harmful algae, etc.,)

Judging Criteria - Artistry Score Artistry Score (20, 30, 35% of sub-total) allows for the judge to evaluate the tree on attributes not already assessed in the previous categories and may include but is not limited to: Emotional response to the tree and it’s design Visual impact of composition May be unconventional but highly creative and expresses the nature of the tree or it’s natural environment. Tree may be adequate or technically correct but could be improved through further development of overall design.

DIVISON SCORING – Maximum points A maximum of 35 points will be scored for each category to determine the sub-total: Design (35 pts.) Technique (35 pts.) Horticulture (35 pts.) These values will be added together to determine the sub-total (105 pts.). The judge will determine the Artistry category: Exceptional (30%) (31.50 pts) Very Good (25%) (26.25 pts.) Good (20%) (21 pts.) The multiplier will be calculated using the sub-total and added to the sub-total to determine the Total Score. Exceptional (136.50 pts.) Very Good (131.25 pts.) Good (126 pts.)

DIVISON SCORING – Maximum points Total Score (136.50 pts) Artistry Score (30%) (31.50 pts) Sub-Total (105 pts) Design Score (35 pts) Technique Score (35 pts) Horticulture Score (35 pts)

Shoji Display

Judging Criteria – Shoji display Shoji Composition Score (25 pts) Main tree is focal point; accents and scroll are appropriate to season and harmonious Components are directed toward center of display Components are visually balanced Shoji size is appropriate for elements of display Overall impression of judge; balance, beauty, and harmony of display as a whole

SCORING – Shoji Display Division The Total Score of the tree is determined. The Shoji Composition Score determined and is added to the Total Score of the tree. The combined score determines the Division winner for the Shoji Display. The tree is eligible for Best in Show Award. Only the Total Score of the tree is considered when determining Division winner. Shoji displays are limited to 6 MBS screens, three sizes available. Entrants are encouraged to reserve shoji display prior to State Fair set-up.

SCORING – Shoji Display Division Shoji Division Score (161.60 pts) Shoji Composition Score (25 pts) Total Score (Tree Only) (136.50 pts) Artistry Score (30%) (31.50 pts) Sub-Total (105 pts) Design Score (35 pts) Technique Score (35 pts) Horticulture Score (35 pts)

AWARDS – Division First, Second and Third place ribbons are awarded to each Division within the Deciduous, Coniferous and Novice Classes. Highest scoring tree for Deciduous, Coniferous and Novice is awarded Division ribbon. If there is a tie in scoring, the judge will determine Division winner. Judge’s decision is final

AWARDS - Division 1st Place Division (Coniferous, Deciduous and Novice) 1st Place Small 1st Place Medium 1st Place Large 1st Place Landscape 1st Place Shoji (tree only)

2012 Best in Show

AWARDS – Best in Show Best of Show plague is awarded to the highest scoring tree of the Deciduous and Coniferous Classes. Novice and Exhibit Only trees are not eligible for Best in Show award. If there is a tie in scoring, the judge will determine Best in Show. Judge’s decision is final

Award – Best in Show Best In Show 1st Place Class Deciduous 1st Place Class Coniferous 2014 Best in Show Deciduous/Medium Tree scored 128.75 pts of a possible 136.50 pts Won by 1.25 pts

AWARDS - Other MBS President’s Award ribbon All entries eligible Judge’s Award of Merit ribbon Best Pine and Best Tropical plaques Judge’s choice

American Bonsai Society Award This year, the judge will be selecting a North American species tree for the ABS Award…