terry
Yamadori
I need to come up with some ideas for new stands/benches for some of my trees. How about some ideas and pictures of what you all use.
Mine are simple, 4x4 or 6x6 posts, 2x4 bases, with 2x2 slats on top. All treated, screwed together, and cemented into the ground. I use a combination of monkey posts and benches, facing different directions so I can rotate trees without necessarily looking at the back.
It is important to get them level, secure, and large enough to have 4-5" all the way around the pots for monkey poles, and 6"-8" all the way around canopies for benches. You want plenty of space between trees for air, light, and separation to slow down any pest or fungal problems.
It is also important to get the height right. Too low and you're always looking at the tops, and bending over to work on them. Too high and you're looking up into them. Most of mine are 3' to 4.5 high.
Brian,
On the "monkey poles", how is the platform attached to the pole? Is it just two 2x4 runners screwed to the posts and topped with the 2x2's, or did you build a "box" to fit around the top of the 4x4? I plan on building a couple of these this weekend and was trying to decide the best method of construction for strength. didn't want it to be wobbly.
Thanks,
John
I wrote a guide for some cheap ones; http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?9545-Cheap-Easy-Bonsai-Benches!!!
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Thanks for the tips on the monkey poles, Brian, I built a couple yesterday and they turned out well, I think.
John