Bench Tie Down System Ideas

Arcto · May 17, 2017

The serene calm of the morning was shattered by an obscenity laden explosion when I checked the bonsai area after yesterday's system blew through. We had it all. Rain, snow and wind. Freaky wind with strong gusts coming from different directions. One tree in refinement was hanging upside down off a rock planting below it. Another collection from last fall was on the ground on its side partially unpotted. Fingers crossed I made some emergency repotting in time before serious drying out started.
But now I need to come up with a tie down system for my benches. Good anchoring with the ability to quickly and easily release a tree for removal or rotation. What ideas have others come up with? Pics are always helpful.

0soyoung · May 17, 2017

Synthetic string/cord (find something attractive or that will be inconspicuous)

Take a length and fold it in half, so the two ends are together. Feed the loop under the bench and up on one side of the pot. Bring the two ends up on the opposite side - one end on each side of the trunk. Feed one of the ends through the loop and then tie it to the other end, just like tying your shoe laces.

VAFisher · May 17, 2017

Yeah, I've just been using dark green paracord and slipping it down through the slats on my bench. I came home earlier this spring to my twin trunk elm laying on the ground with the main trunk split right in half. It must have gone on some ride. I ended up having to make a single trunk tree out of the smaller of the 2 trunks. I then started tying down every single pot, whether I thought it was in danger of blowing over in a storm or not.

I saw a post a while back where someone was using a piece of thick aluminum wire on 3 sides of the pot, secured to the bench with a screw that could be rotated for easy pot removal. It was a pretty neat system and didn't seem hard to make.

c54fun · May 17, 2017

I use bungee cords. Super simple and cheap.

petegreg · May 17, 2017

+

This is cheap and good too.

jriddell88 · May 17, 2017

Anyone see the huge chains they use in Japan lol made me think of them. Reminds me I've got a couple that need some tie downs thanks !
We had some hellacious winds this spring seems all but the 2 were good

0soyoung · May 17, 2017

jriddell88 said:
Anyone see the huge chains they use in Japan lol made me think of them. Reminds me I've got a couple that need some tie downs thanks !
We had some hellacious winds this spring seems all but the 2 were good

Those chains are also known as Boulder (CO) wind vanes!

jriddell88 · May 17, 2017

Hehe I'm assuming there for security purposes huh?

0soyoung · May 17, 2017

petegreg said:
View attachment 146027 + View attachment 146029
This is cheap and good too.

That is even easier than tying knots - thx!

Arcto · May 17, 2017

Great ideas everyone! I'd be interested in a material with good resistance to UV degradation. I know that bungees don't hold up real well.

PiñonJ · May 17, 2017

Here ya go:

JoeR · May 17, 2017

What if you ran a wire through the bottom of the pot, just like you would to tie the tree into the pot but opposite? You wouldn't see it at all and it would be very secure.

herzausstahl · May 17, 2017

If you check out @Smoke 's thread, he has a nice set up.

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/whats-going-on-in-smokes-backyard.7195/

Shima · May 17, 2017

Withstood a hurricane

petegreg · May 18, 2017

Arcto said:
Great ideas everyone! I'd be interested in a material with good resistance to UV degradation. I know that bungees don't hold up real well.

These have been in duty for 5-6 years, sumer sun and heats and winter frosts. I like it because it's really cheap and replacable. The pots sit on the rail as if glued and if you place the tree trunk in between the ropes it definitely supports the tree in pot too.

sorce · May 18, 2017

petegreg said:
View attachment 146027 + View attachment 146029
This is cheap and good too.

My Vote.

For 11 ingenious..(sure phone!) obvious...
Reasons!

Sorce

petegreg · May 18, 2017

Bungees hold really well, just double the presence of rope in the hole by making a loop...

just.wing.it · May 18, 2017

I've used bungees. Not super pretty, but my benches are made of old plastic milk crates and wood planks, so....

Driftwood · Oct 30, 2018

Hi, I have tied down my bonsai's using cable ties and wooden pegs (see photo) you can put the cables ties on the bonsai wires, on the mesh or through draining hole's when repoting... I keep them all the time not just for the wind but because there are many cats walking around. I know it is a bit complicated to do but looks better than the traditional way.

WNC Bonsai · Oct 30, 2018

I simply run a length of aluminum wire through the wires on the bottom of the pot that I used to tie the trees in. I then run the ends of the wire down through the slats in my monkey pole platforms and loop them around a couple wood screws inserted into the bottom of the slats. Completely invisible and have stood up to some really strong gusts.

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