Selecting material for root over rock (or skull)

[Woocash]

I was out trunk hunting the other day and found this little wee beastie. Obviously, the first thing that came to mind was what sort of plant would look best growing off this thing. So far, so normal. I found it at the base of a nice old hawthorn, so thought that this would make for a nice companion species. But, if anyone has suggestions I’d love to hear them.

My main question though is, what makes good starting material for ROR? (In general, not just an old skull)
Is it best to start with a young tree? Is it best to grow roots out first? Etc. Basically, are there general guidelines for creating any type of root over rock (or object) planting that should be followed? Thanks.

 

[It's Kev]

Young tree, yes. But maybe something that already has the tap root cut off and the roots have to be long enough so you kinda know exactly where they’ll go since a skull is smooth and can’t just follow a jagged shape or line them up in a crack.

if you choose a sapling you could even twist the trunk around that long horn to pretend like it’s got some deadwood, but that’s just me

 

[Woocash]

Young tree, yes. But maybe something that already has the tap root cut off and the roots have to be long enough so you kinda know exactly where they’ll go since a skull is smooth and can’t just follow a jagged shape or line them up in a crack.

if you choose a sapling you could even twist the trunk around that long horn to pretend like it’s got some deadwood, but that’s just me

Thanks Kevin. I was thinking of incorporating the antlers somehow. Maybe extending the broken one with a tree or something...

 

[sorce]

I wonder if you couldn't turn it uside down and plant it, to hide It a little.
Looks like it would stand up.

Love that Lenz Quote.
Like his plantings with found items, of course, using this skull as a skull sets the scale which, pretty much throws traditional bonsai out the window.
This is fine with me, art, but a realistic scale is one of the things I fancy most about this, so having a great standalone tree displays with a scale killer is upsetting.
Maybe that "upsetting" is the point!

Anyway....

I always say increase your odds.
A lotta rocks and a lotta trees.

You could pull an old tree, scour the globe for the perfect rock to situate underneath already old roots, but odds aren't in your favor.

Using specially planted seedlings with a lotta roots increases your odds.

Sorce

 

[Captain.Bonsai]

I don’t have experience with this so I’ll speak from an artistic perspective.

The first thing that comes to mind is deciding whether to compliment or contrast the qualities of the skull.

My first instinct would be to compliment the skull with something masculine, rugged, tattered, aged, etc... I think it would be big and dominant, dark and powerful.

Conversely, you could choose something ironic and contrasting. I would make it small and soft, delicate and colorful.

This choice should be made first before the choice of species, position, etc. You should look to the art of Nick Lenz for inspiration. He is amazing.

 

[Captain.Bonsai]

... I meant to add: a plant species congruent with the environment of the deceased would be most complimentary in my mind.

I think: Where was the skull found? What is the environment like? If that animal was walking through a forest of XYZ trees, it would be neat to see XYZ tree on its skull.

 

[Shibui]

Best species for root over rock are the ones that have roots that grow relatively quickly and thicken so they will merge with the rock/object.
The best I've used are Ficus rubiginosa (but probably many other ficus too) and trident maple. I've seen other people with figs on strange objects that are reminders of the ficus that grow in the ancient temple ruins of Asia where they cover walls and statues.
I have seen a few reasonable Chinese elm ROR but the roots don't seem to spread like the tridents and figs.
I have a couple of pines ROR but again, roots are slow and don't seem to spread out over the surface as well.
You could try privet as it is quite hardy and the roots should grow relatively fast and strong.
Hawthorn probably doesn't have the best roots for ROR but you may be able to get the first good one. As mentioned, to get a good result you really need to start with young, flexible roots so they will conform to the contours. Try to avoid threading roots through holes unless you want a short term ROR. As the roots thicken they exert enormous pressure and will split your skull into pieces if they grow through small holes.

 

[MHBonsai]

Ficus, elms or trident maples would be my pick for quick-growing thick roots.

 

[TN_Jim]

For ROR you’ll need to bury the skull in soil for some time. Because of this the skull could be prone to weaken, crack in frosts, or deteriorate over time. Perhaps you should look into sealing it somehow to delay any sort of breakdown.

 

[Michael P]

If you are considering tropical species, Schefflera arbicola is really easy for root over rock.

 

[Silentrunning]

I think one problem you are going to have is the antlers. Are you going to have the trunk lean with the antlers or away from them. Or will it be vertical? This may be hard to pull off aesthetically. Cool idea though.

 

[just.wing.it]

I dig the idea too....i have a young buck skull too, but the antlers are much thinner.
I won't steal your idea though.

Its gonna be tough to pull off.
The skull will have to appear very large, like that of a "huge dragon".
The tree will have to be small, but the roots will have to grow out to be able to be sorted into and around the skull.
With that said, I would say you may want to consider a tree that can be chopped back ruthlessly.....Chinese Elm....

 

[Captain.Bonsai]

Do Arakawa Japanese Maple roots ‘roughen’ once exposed? I think it would be a really neat cultivar to pair with this skull.

The bark will always compliment the skull. In the winter it will be cold, bare, rugged and haunted. As the leaf colors change through the seasons you’ll get different feelings of warmth against the cold coral bark and skull.

*not my image

 

[Shibui]

Do Arakawa Japanese Maple roots ‘roughen’ once exposed? I think it would be a really neat cultivar to pair with this skull.

Great thought. I'd expect the bark on exposed roots to be very similar to the trunk however Japanese maple roots are quite slow to thicken and don't seem to spread out over a surface. Also don't produce new roots as well as trident. I've been frustrated with most of my ROR Japanese maples.

 

[Silentrunning]

Another thought. You are going to have to seal the skull to prevent it from leaching all the water away from the roots. Unsealed it will also get mold and fungus on it. I had some hanging outside and it didn’t take long for them to get nasty.

 

[leatherback]

By Lenz

 

[Woocash]

View attachment 275028
By Lenz

Very cool. I understand why he’s done it that way round, but kinda looks like it should be the back!

 

[Woocash]

For ROR you’ll need to bury the skull in soil for some time. Because of this the skull could be prone to weaken, crack in frosts, or deteriorate over time. Perhaps you should look into sealing it somehow to delay any sort of breakdown.

Another thought. You are going to have to seal the skull to prevent it from leaching all the water away from the roots. Unsealed it will also get mold and fungus on it. I had some hanging outside and it didn’t take long for them to get nasty.

I did wonder if that would be necessary, but have either of you got any idea what to seal it with?

 

[Woocash]

... I meant to add: a plant species congruent with the environment of the deceased would be most complimentary in my mind.

I think: Where was the skull found? What is the environment like? If that animal was walking through a forest of XYZ trees, it would be neat to see XYZ tree on its skull.

Yes I was thinking the same. I found it at the base of an old hawthorn, so I thought I’d honour the beast with a hawthorn based composition. I think it could really match the gnarly state of the skull itself.

Nick Lenz is increasingly becoming a huge source of inspiration for me. I do love the standard bonsai styles, but I’ve always liked nature reclaiming oddities and humanity’s leftovers.

 

[Woocash]

Do Arakawa Japanese Maple roots ‘roughen’ once exposed? I think it would be a really neat cultivar to pair with this skull.

The bark will always compliment the skull. In the winter it will be cold, bare, rugged and haunted. As the leaf colors change through the seasons you’ll get different feelings of warmth against the cold coral bark and skull.

*not my image
View attachment 275004

Very cool. I’ve already settled on hawthorn for this skull, but it’s definitely something to work on for the future. I can see how it would look haunted and bleak. Taking over the ruins of an old church or something...