Bonsai on stump?

[amatbrewer]

I stumbled across this image recently and it got me thinking that with the right tree, a stump could be an amazing way to "pot" (display?). As I am in the process of obtaining some new posts for plant stands (replacing the old railroad ties I currently have), this is something I might want to try if I can find the right stump & tree.
I am wondering if anyone has tried using a stump/log as a 'pot'?
I can foresee some likely down sides such as drainage, insects/disease, roots growing into the stump, having my 'pot' rot out from under my tree, etc.

I could not decide if this should go under the Pots or Display category, it is kind of both. Hope I chose correctly.

 

[Vin]

That image has been going around for years. It would not have near the impact if it wasn't in water so keep that in mind. I have seen pieces of wood, maybe even a small log used as containers. They will have to be treated with something to slow the rotting process down. Given the right piece of wood, it could be interesting.

 

[AZbonsai]

Looks like a rock to me. Probably a better idea.

 

[amatbrewer]

It would not have near the impact if it wasn't in water so keep that in mind.

Good point.
I think there are a couple of spots in my yard where it might work, but mostly envisioning making something reminiscent to this a feature in/near my koi pond.
I like the idea of something that would give the feeling of a "nursery log" as part of my landscaping. So it would probably be more suited to a younger looking tree (pre-bonsai?), and kind of a homage to where the mature looking trees come from.

 

[Michael P]

Beautiful image! I've seen dead redwood burls carved and used as bonsai pots. I think it would work for long enough to be worth doing. Other suitable rot-resistant woods are cypress and bois d'arc.

 

[Chop_n_Change]

heres An alpine fir twin trunk I had that was part of a nursery purchase. It was a young, twin trunk, and kind if light on branches to one side that I didn’t have any designs for I had potted up a couple months ago.

Then just a few weeks ago I pulled off the road to take a call and found the below stump- maybe a black locust, or black oak with some natural decay that caught my eye. It has a twisting look to it and a natural hollow.

I drilled some holes down through the bottom and also made some muck for some of the longer roots to run down the front. I really like how it turned out and hope the fir will eventually “consume” the stump as a natural composition. All in all it was a good exercise and I got to mess with securing the stump to the pot, root over techniques, and muck creation. Best Saturday in a good long, winter-while!

 

[thumblessprimate1]

That image has been going around for years. It would not have near the impact if it wasn't in water so keep that in mind. I have seen pieces of wood, maybe even a small log used as containers. They will have to be treated with something to slow the rotting process down. Given the right piece of wood, it could be interesting.

I was scrolling down just to see a comment from @M. Frary

 

[P.Bond]

Here’s a dwarf scheffelera I have been training on a piece of hardened wood. Found it at home goods.... Disregard the fake berries my mother in law put on it as it resides at her place in the winter.....

 

[P.Bond]

Here’s the backside

 

[M. Frary]

I was scrolling down just to see a comment from @M. Frary

Given the right piece of wood it could be interesting.
You know that's what they all say.

 

[atlarsenal]

Never mind the berries, I want the tea from those teabags!