Exposed root raft style?

[Arcto]

Here is a collected example of what I believe you are talking about. A Manzanita I dug on a abandoned FS road. The plant was evidently partially uprooted years ago. It survived on its remaining roots. The entire bush has been lying and growing on its side up to the point of collection.

 

[MichaelS]

Hi All,

Just a bit of theory crafting here. My understanding is that the raft style is meant to mimic when a tree falls over and then a new trunk or trunks grow up from the existing side branches. However, almost all the examples of rafts that I see have the roots firmly in the ground and then a step curve to the trunk with new roots forming further down the trunk where it touches back down. Does anyone have any experienced with a "fallen tree" style raft in which half the root mass is exposed? It seems like the exposed roots could have a really nice dead wood appearance. I have attached a horrible drawing to depict the general idea.

Lars
View attachment 103868

Just down the road from me (in the country) there is a field where a massive old Cypress tree, with a trunk maybe 2 metres (yards) in diameter, had been blown on to its side many many years ago. (maybe as much as fifty?) Just like your drawing. Half of the roots were exposed and some had since died off and become dead wood. The branches on the lower side of the tree - touching the ground supported the tree from falling any further and probably even layered themselves into the ground. The massive canopy had grown upright again just as normal.
I have been driving past that tree for years and every time I did I thought I must take a picture of such a rare sight. Last time I drove past, it had been chopped up and burnt. Probably for no better reason than because it was there.

 

[AlainK]

Highlight text, right click; pick "translate with Google Translate".

Much simpler: go to the English version of the site! (it's published in 12 languages)

Here is the link to the English page:

http://www.bonsaiempire.com/inspiration/progressions/hawthorn-raft

 

[Nwaite]

Just down the road from me (in the country) there is a field where a massive old Cypress tree, with a trunk maybe 2 metres (yards) in diameter, had been blown on to its side many many years ago. (maybe as much as fifty?) Just like your drawing. Half of the roots were exposed and some had since died off and become dead wood. The branches on the lower side of the tree - touching the ground supported the tree from falling any further and probably even layered themselves into the ground. The massive canopy had grown upright again just as normal.
I have been driving past that tree for years and every time I did I thought I must take a picture of such a rare sight. Last time I drove past, it had been chopped up and burnt. Probably for no better reason than because it was there.

Oooohhhh... as I was reading this I was getting excited thinking there would be a picture. .. it a sad thing when somthing so beautiful is destroyed for no reason at all..

 

[jcrossett]

I think that the OP was wondering if someone ever tried that:
View attachment 105684

With half the canopy becoming the raft...

Anyone up for a game of limbo ?