benches oriented east-west or north-south?

[Aaronkslater]

I'm moving my bonsai to a new part of the yard and wondering if you prefer benches stretched along a north-south axis or an East-west one? I see some pros and cons to each.
p.s. I'm in the northern hemisphere.

 

[Adair M]

North-south.

That way they get the sun, and none shade each other out in the morning and afternoon.

 

[sorce]

There are so many variables we don't know.

Which lead to billions of "it depends"...

I'm Surprised @Adair M ...Mr. "It Depends" has such a solid....stance! Lol!

I began pondering this yesterday and starting thinking about the size "compass" you would need to set up a rig that always aligns with the sun mechanically.....

Because if you are thinking about this.....
That would be the ultimate solution.
Motorized automatic alignment on perpetually rotating turntables.

But it is simplified with observation.
And simply rotating trees each day.

It is ALWAYS play it by ear....
Like when Dav4 heard that Yard Oak Branch snap....and crash his bench....

He knew he was going to have a little more sun! So A J. maple may need to be moved.
And a juniper has a new good spot!

Let's say you have you benches aligned anyway......
And you allow an elm to shade out everything.
Alignment becomes a non issue.

How close together do you keep them?
Is it an A frame stand with plants on both sides? How tall?
One side up against a wall stand?

None of these variables matter.

You are always going to need more space.
In the shade and the sun.

And if you don't rotate them.....
It all goes out the window !

Sorce

 

[leatherback]

That would be the ultimate solution.
Motorized automatic alignment on perpetually rotating turntables.

Would it though? The movemoent of the sun ensures the sun moves around the canopy of the tree. Outside, and inside. Thus providingh a well-balanced spread of solar energy around the canopy.

As for the alignment.. I would say it might depend on the species you have. Do you WANT them to shade eachother in the heat of the day? Or do you want full sun. Peak solar exposure is -on the nothern hemisphere- during midday. Pines and junipers may love this. But many species would prefer a bit of shelter during that time.

 

[Cable]

Mine are east west because they’re against the garage and that’s the way the wall goes. Works for me though because the sun lovers go on the east end and the shade lovers on the west.

I should also mention there’s a house and a bunch of trees to the west.

 

[ysrgrathe]

The Photographer's Ephemeris is a neat app (also a free web version) that I refer to when laying out benches / beds. It can tell you the position of the sun at any time of day, any day of the year. Of course if you've lived somewhere for a few years you get a good feel for where the light is, but it's a nice tool to help decide where to locate things and how they should be oriented.

https://www.photoephemeris.com/

 

[William N. Valavanis]

I took note of bench orientation when I was an apprentice in the Omiya Bonsai Village. Nearly every bench through the village is running north to south. Yes, there are a few exceptions due to garden design and displays.

All of my tables are also running north to south for over 50 years and my bonsai are doing fine...

 

[sorce]

Would it though?

Not at all!

That IS the point!

After you go through the trouble of creating this ridiculous system of solar following, you are left still needing to deal with all the real world variables anyway.

When the "perfect" solution to the question at hand doesn't make sense.....
It opens the mind for exploring what is really going to happen.
The things that really matter.

Big. Heavy flow... Dementia depends!

Sorce

 

[sorce]

Would it though?

Not at all!

That IS the point!

After you go through the trouble of creating this ridiculous system of solar following, you are left still needing to deal with all the real world variables anyway.

When the "perfect" solution to the question at hand doesn't make sense.....
It opens the mind for exploring what is really going to happen.
The things that really matter.

Big. Heavy flow... Dementia depends!

Sorce

 

[Aaronkslater]

thanks for the responses everyone!

. @William N. Valavanis ... hope to see your garden in person one day, the photos look amazing!

 

[River's Edge]

I have benches going North South and also those oriented East West. The reason i did this was to make the best use of the layout. Placement on the benches is in accordance with shade or sun requirements of the tree. I always need to remind myself to rotate the trees regardless of placement. The reality for me is that bench space becomes a premium and shading is a fact of life. Always adjusting for balanced light.

 

[BrianBay9]

Mine run SW to NE - have no choice due to my space and orientation of the house. I envy you all with big spaces to set up as you please!