Gnarly cherry in gnarly pot

[BrianBay9]

So I found this burl on the side of the road.





From the other side - burned out. Looks like a planting opportunity to me. Maybe not a permanent one, but the fire will stabilize it for some time.

 

[BrianBay9]

I had this gnarly cherry in an average pot, so I put it in this.....looks like a good match to me.

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

I love the idea and the pairing with the burl but I think the visual weight of the burl is too high - the tree looks tiny to me. Is there a way to split the burl in ~half to better balance the size and/or do additional plantings on the rest of the burl, maybe I’d say an accent plant to go with the tree? I just feel the tree itself gets a bit lost in what would otherwise be a fantastic gnarly pairing :/

 

[Cadillactaste]

DUUUUUUDDDDDEEEE! The title drew me in. "GNARLY " You ain't kidding! Wickedly cool composition at that.

 

[pandacular]

This is really incredible. I think it will be extra special once it’s settled in, maybe with some moss to make it look more like a mountain, and some styling to enhance the pairing.

I love making good of roadside refuse.

 

[Dogestoevsky]

Gorgeous! Seems like a natural fairytale penjing opportunity with moss and accompanying plantings. It might shorten the lifespan of the “pot” but could be quite pretty.

Great work on the tree itself, always enjoy your work and appreciate the documentation.

 

[BrianBay9]

Thanks for all the encouragement. Here's one more with a little clean up, a little moss, etc. The sedum may be wrong for this.....

 

[Kievnstavick]

I quite like the looks of this. Hopefully the wood will hold up to rot fairly well. It makes it seem like a lonely tree growing among some gnarly rocks. I think that the wood on the left side of the image is a little too prominent though. Shaving the top third of it and replicating the shape should help preserve the image.

I would suggest adding some sort of barrier between the burl and the substrate to try and preserve the planter for as long as possible.

Or better yet, make a cast of the burl and either make a planter in the same essence from clay or concrete.

 

[BrianBay9]

Or better yet, make a cast of the burl and either make a planter in the same essence from clay or concrete.

Hahahaha. You seriously over estimate my skills.

 

[vp999]

Beautiful tree and pot ! Great job!

 

[dr.tenebris]

Hahahaha. You seriously over estimate my skills.

Can't wait to see the bloom on this

 

[BrianBay9]

Can't wait to see the bloom on this

Just starting to bud flowers. An update pic is coming in a week or so.

 

[Dabbler]

well that came together well - The burl may not hold up in a year or two with so much water that our tree's need - maybe turn it into a coffee table and sell it for $$$ - got to fund our bonsai's somehow

 

[BrianBay9]

well that came together well - The burl may not hold up in a year or two with so much water that our tree's need - maybe turn it into a coffee table and sell it for $$$ - got to fund our bonsai's somehow

I'm betting with the fire finish (shou sugi ban) it'll last three or four years. Doesn't matter. I can do something else with it next year if needed.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I'm betting with the fire finish (shou sugi ban) it'll last three or four years. Doesn't matter. I can do something else with it next year if needed.

I recall hearing charred wood helps preserve it longer. But I'm all about enjoying the hear and now. Looks cool blackened as it is.

 

[bonsaiwood]

Me gusta!
The burl looks very natural in your composition. You found something interesting to the eye and put it to good use, that’s resourceful!

 

[BrianBay9]

Update pic with some flowers

 

[Cadillactaste]

Oh how lovely!

 

[BrianBay9]

Hard cut back is coming after the flowers are done.