Tufa rock ?

[discusmike]

I picked up some tufa from a local fish store,the rock is very white in alot of spots and very easy to carve,my question is,will this rock be to soft for a Root over Rock?I dont want to spend years growing a tree on a rock that will crack,if anyone has any previous experience with this rock id appreciate some help,i remember some from natures way bonsai,but it was a gray color,this is much whiter.

 

[pjkatich]

I picked up some tufa from a local fish store,the rock is very white in alot of spots and very easy to carve,my question is,will this rock be to soft for a Root over Rock?I dont want to spend years growing a tree on a rock that will crack,if anyone has any previous experience with this rock id appreciate some help,i remember some from natures way bonsai,but it was a gray color,this is much whiter.

In my opinion Mike, I think you would be wasting your time.

I would stay away from softer stones like tufa. Tree's like Trident Maples can exert quite a bit of force as the roots harden and expand over the rock. I have had Red maples break pieces off the Florida field stones that I like to use.

Regards,
Paul

 

[discusmike]

Thanks,i was thinking it might be to soft,but heard of people using it in compositions,i know they also have a darker harder tufa,and i guess i got the soft junk.