anchoring trees to a flat stone

[Gary McCarthy]

I thought this was an interesting way to anchor a tree to a flat stone. Haven't seen this method previously.

 

[Vali]

Wouldn't it be too stressful for the tree to defoliate and repot at the same time? Experienced people say that defoliation should only be done on very healthy trees.

 

[sorce]

Wouldn't it be too stressful for the tree to defoliate and repot at the same time? Experienced people say that defoliation should only be done on very healthy trees.

It always depends on the tree.
Healthy, it sets a good balance of less transpiration while leaving an ability to grow new roots.

Sorce

 

[Shibui]

I think real experienced people would be talking about less vigorous species like pines or junipers that recover slowly. Be very wary of over generalizing from one example to all trees and all situations. This is trident maple - a strong, fast growing and vigorous species. They can cope with almost anything. These trees were clearly very strong and healthy before this work and I would expect no problem as a result. I have certainly root pruned and repotted trident maples here when they are in full leaf and growing fast and they survived the experience.

 

[Vali]

You misunderstood me, Shibui. I was reffering to both defoliating and repotting done at once

 

[Vali]

It always depends on the tree.
Healthy, it sets a good balance of less transpiration while leaving an ability to grow new roots.

So, would you do both at the same time?

 

[sorce]

So, would you do both at the same time?

I can't say anything. I'm sitting with a couple elms I'm afraid to Repot cuz they die in spring, and I haven't gained confidence with them in summer yet.

So probly no!

Sorce

 

[Shibui]

Whether I defoliate and repot at the same time will depend on many other factors. For preference I'll root prune when the trees naturally have no leaves in winter but I have , on occasions, root pruned trident maples when they are in leaf and defoliated to compensate. If I don't defoliate the trees just do it for themselves - all the leaves turn brown and drop off but new shoots grow a week or 2 later.
Vigorous trees can take defoliation and root pruning in one operation in their stride.

I have found a number of other things that the know it alls tell me cannot be done that can indeed be done. You just need to have enough trees so that experimenting is not quite so daunting and a willingness to take a chance.

 

[0soyoung]

As an enthusiast from the past, @jkl on BNut and some other bonsai forums, said

You can repot anytime, if you know what you are doing

 

[Vali]

I collected 2 lindens from a yard last november just a few days before freezing nights-both are growing and seem healthy right now. So, I couldn't disagree with him. However it isn't something I normally do.

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

I prefer to drill through the stone to add drainage, even though it's not 100% necessary (and use those holes to anchor from). I've also used the old technique of drilling a small hole not all the way through, and using a fishing sinker weight to sandwich a wire, then hammer the weight into the hole with a punch. Fast and easy. You have to be careful of course, but you can easily add anchors at any location as needed.