Show Us Your Bonsai Benches

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I just upgraded mine this weekend from blocks and wood to blocks and Granite. It is still a work in progress. I have another skinny section and I’ll add at least one monkey pole probably to help off-set the missing corner. The granite was hand me down from the neighbors old house.
 

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No concerns about it heating up and staying hot for long times?
It had occurred to me that it may get hot. I will feel it out as I go. I wouldn’t want to cover it with a table cloth, or something more reflective, but it could be an option if it is really baking in the summer. Or humidity trays as a heat sink, or a sprinkler on a thermostat.
It is a good reminder to keep in mind. Maybe I pack the trees in so tight that the granite is in the shade.
 
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I just upgraded mine this weekend from blocks and wood to blocks and Granite. It is still a work in progress. I have another skinny section and I’ll add at least one monkey pole probably to help off-set the missing corner. The granite was hand me down from the neighbors old house.
Granite tops might be too slippery for the feet of the bonsai pots to grip properly, which may cause your trees to be blown off of the benches…
 
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Granite tops might be too slippery for the feet of the bonsai pots to grip properly, which may cause your trees to be blown off of the benches…
That was a drawback I hadn’t considered. And back to @leatherback s concerns about the heat, I went out there today just to check on things and the granite was warm to the touch, even though it is freezing outside today. Maybe I can use some white or light grey paint in the center as a reflectant. I mainly went with the granite so I wouldn’t have to replace the wood planks every couple years, but I was surprised the granite looked as nice as it does.. maybe not as nice with some paint on there. I’ll have to think on it.
Paint could provide traction too but I don’t know that a pot would slide before it would get tipped over by the wind.
 

LanceMac10

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That was a drawback I hadn’t considered. And back to @leatherback s concerns about the heat, I went out there today just to check on things and the granite was warm to the touch, even though it is freezing outside today. Maybe I can use some white or light grey paint in the center as a reflectant. I mainly went with the granite so I wouldn’t have to replace the wood planks every couple years, but I was surprised the granite looked as nice as it does.. maybe not as nice with some paint on there. I’ll have to think on it.
Paint could provide traction too but I don’t know that a pot would slide before it would get tipped over by the wind.


Slabs like your's pretty much all I use. Heat? Same sun hits your pot that hits the slab.....where's the difference? Might want to re-consider the black, though....
 

leatherback

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where's the difference?
pots are not completely in the sun, and moisture evaporates. A big slab of stone will heat up dramatically in full sun, and stay hot for a long time.

But, no other difference. You will note there are several threads on bnut discussing overheating of pots as a cause of death of trees.

But well, concern raised. Awareness created. No further discussion needed from my side.
 

LanceMac10

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Been on 'em for a decade....should I tell them they should be dead? Feel the pot facing the sun, then the shaded side. They'll be a big difference in temperature.

DSC01221.JPG

DSC01234.JPG

...I do live pretty far north though, the sun is rather mild.:)

Buy some cheap teak deck panels, they'll help w/airflow beneath the pot. I put them under most of the trees.

O.P. should try it and see the results, if it stresses the tree, then don't use it. :cool:
 
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LanceMac10

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I've seen plenty of threads in which people write about what they read. I've not seen one that documents a properly watered tree placed on a rock and the tree died because of hot roots.

I'm certainly not refuting overheated roots are stressful to a containerized tree. I'm suggesting the O.P. do something, document and learn/react. 🤔
 
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That was a drawback I hadn’t considered. And back to @leatherback s concerns about the heat, I went out there today just to check on things and the granite was warm to the touch, even though it is freezing outside today. Maybe I can use some white or light grey paint in the center as a reflectant. I mainly went with the granite so I wouldn’t have to replace the wood planks every couple years, but I was surprised the granite looked as nice as it does.. maybe not as nice with some paint on there. I’ll have to think on it.
Paint could provide traction too but I don’t know that a pot would slide before it would get tipped over by the wind.
The heat might be an issue as it may cause the water in the pots to evaporate faster.

That being said, it might be great for freshly potted/repotted trees because the roots will appreciate the added warmth.

As for the traction issue, place a tree on the slab and try pushing the tree to see how easily it moves…
 
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I've seen plenty of threads in which people write about what they read. I've not seen one that documents a properly watered tree placed on a rock and the tree died because of hot roots.

I'm certainly not refuting overheated roots are stressful to a containerized tree. I'm suggesting the O.P. do something, document and learn/react. 🤔

I have a few trees displayed on slate slabs and they do just fine in the sun. I do it strictly for the aesthetics, there is really no other reason…
 

p_anova

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Hello All,

I live in the city, DC to be specific (hate to brag but I can see the grounds to the DC Arboretum from my back yard). I do not have a sprawling back yard like a lot of you, but I do have a deck! It is small so I have had to become creative considering I am at 40 bonsai now. I turned the top of the deck railings into benches to maximize space. I also used copper pipes and cedar planks to build benches so it is lighter and modular. Was it expensive? Yes, but copper will last for a long time and the patina looks great as it ages and I charred the wood for asthetics. I managed to save valuable space so that I can still use the deck for parties and such. Hope I gave you other city dwellers some ideas!
 

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Hello All,

I live in the city, DC to be specific (hate to brag but I can see the grounds to the DC Arboretum from my back yard). I do not have a sprawling back yard like a lot of you, but I do have a deck! It is small so I have had to become creative considering I am at 40 bonsai now. I turned the top of the deck railings into benches to maximize space. I also used copper pipes and cedar planks to build benches so it is lighter and modular. Was it expensive? Yes, but copper will last for a long time and the patina looks great as it ages and I charred the wood for asthetics. I managed to save valuable space so that I can still use the deck for parties and such. Hope I gave you other city dwellers some ideas!
Looks great! I like the durability considerations too. How often do you envision replacing the cedar (juniper) wood? And where do you source the cedar?
 

p_anova

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Looks great! I like the durability considerations too. How often do you envision replacing the cedar (juniper) wood? And where do you source the cedar?
I got the cedar planks from Lowes! The same ones they use to make fences so it will be outside, not in the lumber section inside. I don't imagine I will have to change the planks for the next 40 years as long as I keep applying oil to it. Lots of articles on shou sugi ban if you are interested in it
 
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I got the cedar planks from Lowes! The same ones they use to make fences so it will be outside, not in the lumber section inside. I don't imagine I will have to change the planks for the next 40 years as long as I keep applying oil to it. Lots of articles on shou sugi ban if you are interested in it
Pretty cool, I hadn’t heard of shou sugi ban until now.
 
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