Arakawa Seedling Forest

[johng]

I’ve been specifically developing these seedlings for a group planting. It’s been 4-5 years now. They were planted through washers, and then later on pieces of slate to develop shallow root systems. I also created several small clumps of two, three, and four trunks in…these will hopefully add to a more natural look for the planting.

I count thirty trunks. The 6 trunks on the left are already developing nice bark and will be potted as a separate group or individually.
The remaining trunks are all candidates for the group planting.

 

[johng]

I see the picture of the clumps didn’t make it into the original post….

 

[Colorado]

Awesome! If you have any leftovers from your project I would be interested in purchasing

 

[johng]

Now to choose a container??????

In front is a 30” artificial slab by Dean Bullock. I really like this slab. I’m concerned about planting maples on a slab…could be a water issue, but I think the group would look great.

The 21” tan and brown oval container in back is by Robert Wallace. From my perspective this container is about perfect!


In front of this photo is another Dean Bullock rectangular green glazed container 26” long and 1” tall! I really like this container but after policing one of the green trunks next to it the greens clash… so I won’t be using this one.

In back is another Wallace container. Free form slab with rough edges…21”. The rough bark that these trees will hopefully develop might be an interesting combination with rough finish of the container.


The last photo has a natural granite slab that is about 24” long. I love slabs and I love groups on slabs. I still have a concern about keeping a maple group on slab watered effectively.

The container in the back is an 18” unglazed oval from Japan. The unglazed container might be appealing with the rough bark these trees may develop one day. To be honest, I have a personal bias against using Asian containers. I love them but prefer to use containers from Western artist both as a preference and as a way to support them!



Overhead view

 

[johng]

Awesome! If you have any leftovers from your project I would be interested in purchasing

Thanks! Sorry but I don’t ship trees. Should you ever make it to South Carolina, please reach out you would be more than welcome in the garden!

 

[Kanorin]

Love it! In 10 years you'll have a full forest of craggly bark trees...I think it's going to be quite stunning.
I'm interested to see how they will look in that 21" free form slab with the rough edges.

I began taking cuttings last year to grow out and eventually assemble an Arakawa forest too! Hopefully a few of mine survive the winter.

 

[BrightsideB]

You have some awesome options! Hard to choose. I think that artificial slab would look great once they start getting that bark. Will be cool to see what you choose and the composition.

 

[DanaWhicker]

My vote is the natural granite slab if you're going for an all natural look, but if contrast is a goal, go with the 21" Robert Wallace. I would do the second option myself and see how it develops.

 

[johng]

Love it! In 10 years you'll have a full forest of craggly bark trees...I think it's going to be quite stunning.
I'm interested to see how they will look in that 21" free form slab with the rough edges.

I began taking cuttings last year to grow out and eventually assemble an Arakawa forest too! Hopefully a few of mine survive the winter.

These are seedlings and not cuttings...so there is some likelihood that some will not develop bark. Even at this young age, more than half seem to have some indication that they will have rough bark.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Cool project, thanks for sharing.

 

[GreatLakesBrad]

Vote is for 21" Wallace pot followed by granite slab. Cool project! Be curious if any folks can weigh in on watering challenges with maples on slabs.

 

[johng]

Vote is for 21" Wallace pot followed by granite slab. Cool project! Be curious if any folks can weigh in on watering challenges with maples on slabs.

probably not an issue for you in Michigan...entirely different story in South Carolina!

 

[Abhishek Dasgupta]

Lovely and amazing ! Can’t wait to see the forest grow . I love the 18th h Japanese oval mainly due to how it’s raised . Second preference is 21 inch Robert Wallace slab . Either wait it’s gonna be fantastic .
Wish you did ship some as we hardly get such beautiful seedlings of Arakawa

 

[johng]

3 hours this evening and I ended up with a 25 trunk forest in the 21” Wallace oval.

 

[johng]

A little more light…
Not too bad…

 

[BobbyLane]

Lovely composition there, has a natural feel that will just get better. surprisingly I dont see many top dressing with sphagnum moss across the pond, its really good stuff.

 

[johng]

Lovely composition there, has a natural feel that will just get better. surprisingly I dont see many top dressing with sphagnum moss across the pond, its really good stuff.

Thanks, Bobby! I use sphagnum top dressings all the time and you are correct…it is beneficial in multiple ways!

 

[19Mateo83]

Looking good John, very nice combination!

 

[Carol 83]

Can't wait to see how this one progresses, awesome job.

 

[JudyB]

OMG that Bullock rectangle...
Grouping looks really good! You are a master of the forest