Water-elm Raft

[Zach Smith]

This unique, natural raft-style water-elm got its first "pot" yesterday during my demo at the Louisiana Bonsai Society's spring show. I'd planned on using a slab for planting this specimen when it was first collected, but as I studied it I decided it might be easier to maintain if I altered the slab somewhat. One thing led to another, and I think the result is pretty special. It was a big hit at the show.

There's a lot of refinement ahead, but in a few years this tree should be awesome.

Comments welcome, of course.

Zach

 

[gergwebber]

you beat me! I am planning on making slab planting with a "road" on it lined by little rock retaining walls.

 

[Zach Smith]

Be sure to post your results.

 

[JudyB]

Zach, very unique, and should age well.

 

[Zach Smith]

Thanks, Judy. There's much to be done to both the tree and the pot. I plan to force muck into the crevices in the wall and hopefully get moss to grow. I'll also rough up the wall with my cordless Dremel and a sanding wheel, in an attempt to "age" it. It's time for another lime sulfur treatment of the "channel" that runs the length of the (two) recumbent trunks. I'll take another shot of the piece from the end and post it. There's a lot to appreciate in this piece.

Zach

 

[Zach Smith]

Here's a shot through the forest that shows more of how this tree has grown. Pretty interesting.

Zach

 

[JudyB]

Glad you posted this second shot, from the first one, it's difficult to see the raft... And now I have a better appreciation of the details.
Just shows you what you can't see from a photo...

 

[Lars Grimm]

Any update on this cool tree Zach?

 

[Cypress187]

This unique, natural raft-style water-elm got its first "pot" yesterday during my demo at the Louisiana Bonsai Society's spring show. I'd planned on using a slab for planting this specimen when it was first collected, but as I studied it I decided it might be easier to maintain if I altered the slab somewhat. One thing led to another, and I think the result is pretty special. It was a big hit at the show.
There's a lot of refinement ahead, but in a few years this tree should be awesome.
Comments welcome, of courseZach
View attachment 22581

Oh very cool that miniature wall around it, i want to make something simular but i dont have an oven or clay for outside (which doesn't need an oven perhaps).

 

[Lazylightningny]

A very unique piece, well styled

 

[Zach Smith]

Unfortunately, this tree was a victim of Winter 2014. We had a snow/ice storm followed by multiple days of 15F low temperatures. I was unable to put my trees on the ground as this occurred right when we were burying my mother. I lost all of my water-elms including this one. A very tough period of time. But we rebuild, you know.

Zach

 

[sorce]

e. A very tough period of time. B

Tougher to post it.

Excellent to learn from.

Thanks for that!

Good weather and Trees to you!

Sorce

 

[JudyB]

A very tough period of time. But we rebuild, you know.

Indeed.

 

[Zach Smith]

Tougher to post it.

Excellent to learn from.

Thanks for that!

Good weather and Trees to you!

Sorce

Thank you.