New fun project - Help needed

So I have had this rock in the garden for quite some time and I decided that I was going to use it for a fun project.

Firstly the rock from the side looks like the head of a dragon lying down (well I see it)





Right on the top of the stone is a very nice hollow.

So my thoughts were the following...
I want to plant a tree into the hollow. Why? Because I can and I want to do something different. I drilled the hollow out some to make some more space and then drilled a small hole through to the bottom of the stone to let the water run out.


This is now where the help is needed.

Do I go to put a mame sized tree into the hollow and how would it look in relation to the size of the rock.

Or should I think of putting a seedling in and let it grow in the hollow now and style it as it grows to a Shohin size or bigger

Also if it was yours what type of tree would you put in?

As this is a fun project for me, let your imagination run free and let me know your thoughts.

I have 3 small Mame trees (Hinoki Cypress, A ficus and a lavender tree) that could work. Or maybe some of the chinese snow rose cuttings or bougainvillea cuttings that I am currently growing



Lets hear those thoughts

I forgot. I have an Senegalia galpinii (Monkey thorn) cascade that could work too.

It is still quite easy to wire so I could wire it properly to suit the rock.



The hinoki cypress?




The Ficus?


The lavender tree? Actually looks quite good this one.

Everytime I find a rock it's the same thing with me...
Plant in it?
Plant on it?
×137

Then I just leave it treeless.

All I know...

It's only gonna take a wee bit of rppt to clog that hole.

And you May actually have a legitimate fossilized t-rex skull!

Sorce

sorce said:

Everytime I find a rock it's the same thing with me...
Plant in it?
Plant on it?
×137

Then I just leave it treeless.

All I know...

It's only gonna take a wee bit of rppt to clog that hole.

And you May actually have a legitimate fossilized t-rex skull!

Sorce

Click to expand...

Valid point. May have to put a very fine mesh down to stop the roots. Nothing ventured nothing gain.

Does look like a t-rex

Cool project! I like the Monkey Thorn.

1. Monkey Thorn
2. Lavender
Nice stone. Is it some sort of easily carved tufa?
CW

Vin said:

Cool project! I like the Monkey Thorn.

Click to expand...

I have to agree with you on that Vin. I think when the monkey thorn is in full leaf it will work well over the side of the rock.

CWTurner said:

1. Monkey Thorn
2. Lavender
Nice stone. Is it some sort of easily carved tufa?

Click to expand...

Thanks CW. The lavender is really cool too as it does look like some "antenna"

The stone is sandstone.

So I took the plunge and put in the Monkey Thorn Cascade.

I had to cut off a large amount of roots to get it into the small hole so only time will tell if it survives. I wrapped up the top of the rock so that it could hold more soil. After I have seen that it has recovered and growing well, I will start to wash away the upper layer of soil until it reaches the rock level.

So only time will tell on this.