The Bonsai Culture Group – Malta (BCG) will tomorrow be celebrating the 25th anniversary since its first committee meeting on November 13, 1991, with the official opening of its annual bonsai exhibition being held at Notre Dame Arch Street, Floriana (hill leading to Police General Headquarters).

The exhibition will showcase a remarkable array of masterpiece trees including Maltese species such as Malta’s national tree, għargħar, olive trees, carob trees and beautiful examples of non-endemic species such as Japanese elms, pines and other Asian and Mediterranean species.

Special displays, educational materials and demonstrations of bonsai techniques will be offered throughout the weekend.

To commentate this event, the Minister for Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Change, José Herrera, will tomorrow be unveiling a plaque christening the club garden as Notre Dame Bonsai Garden at 10.30am.

The annual exhibition will be open to the public tomorrow, from 1 to 7pm and on Sunday from 8am to 7pm.

• The care and cultivation of trees in the restricted confines of a pot requires a high degree of dedication and understanding of environmental conditions.

With our lack of land and gardens in Malta, with access only to small yards, roofs or terraces, keeping Bonsai trees is an ideal way to keep in touch with nature.

The hobby can take many forms from keeping one tree alongside other potted plants to an experimental artist.

It is a hobby which transgresses all social barriers and draws interest from people from all walks of life.

The process is never-ending as trees continue to grow and adapt to their environment. Most bonsai enthusiasts are mere custodians of their trees which will long outlive them. Specimen bonsai trees are often several hundred years old.