Monkey pole

[RogueFJ]

Does anyone know where I can get plans to build monkey poles for my bonsai?

 

[stacy allen muse]

I have used 4x4 fence post(cut to size), with a 2x12 cut to about 12" screwed to the top. The other end take a 3 gallon plastic nersery pot and fill about half way or so with concrete, stick the 4x4 into it and let it dry. Dig a hole and stick in the ground... You dont really need tro dig down so far (with the concrete footing) and it is easily moveable...
Obviously one can make a lot nice one than this, but it does the trick...
also, use pressure treated wood.

 

[RogueFJ]

Thanks!

Thanks for the response. Do you have pictures of your stands? I'm more of a visual learner....

 

[Bill S]

Don't forget to attach the pot to the stand, your tree blowing off the stand(don't tell me how heavy it is, if you put it there it aint heavy enough to stay there in a good wind) will probably require a restyling at the least.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Mine are simple; I start with attaching the 2x2s to the 2x4 frame, and attach the 2x4 frame to a 4x4 post, which is concreted into the ground. They're anywhere from 16" to 28" wide, and around 16" to 24" deep. Here is a shot of a few of them in the wintertime.

 

[monza]

Mine are simple; I start with attaching the 2x2s to the 2x4 frame, and attach the 2x4 frame to a 4x4 post, which is concreted into the ground. They're anywhere from 16" to 28" wide, and around 16" to 24" deep. Here is a shot of a few of them in the wintertime.

I'm guessing no kids or dogs in your backyard...

 

[FrankP999]

http://www.stonelantern.com/Bonsai_Book_Creating_Bonsai_Stands_Benches_p/b1benches.htm

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I'm guessing no kids or dogs in your backyard...

Actually, 2 young kids and 1 VERY active dog; all well-trained as to the importance of being careful around daddy's trees. This winter storage arrangement was temporary (the temp dropped from a steady 40 to 15 overnight). Normally, I put them under benches and put a fence around them for winter.

 

[monza]

Nicely done. I'm the same two young kids active dog, I better work on my training of both. Maybe I'm just paranoid and over build things. Cool shots by the way and trees look good.

 

[RogueFJ]

Thanks for responding. Very nice stands! The trees look great too! When I mulch mine for the winter I need a lot of leaves provided by the crimson maple in my backyard. The winters in Chicago are brutal.

 

[Mojosan]

Actually, 2 young kids and 1 VERY active dog; all well-trained as to the importance of being careful around daddy's trees. This winter storage arrangement was temporary (the temp dropped from a steady 40 to 15 overnight). Normally, I put them under benches and put a fence around them for winter.

That tree on the right is very nice Brian. Excellent work.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

That tree on the right is very nice Brian. Excellent work.

Thanks...that's this one...now back on display at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

 

[RogueFJ]

Thank you!

 

[yalearch]

Just saw your comment about bedding your trees under leaves for winter in the Chicago area. With temperatures of -10 to -20 occasionally, what exactly do the leaves do besides reducing evaporation when temperatures are warmer? I am new to Bonsai and was told by many that trees need to be wintered in garage and maintained between 30 and 35 degrees, optimally. Would appreciate your comments as winter approaches. Best regards, D/D.....Wilmette

 

[edprocoat]

I had to read this just to see what the hell a monkey stand was! I learn something new each day, usually at this stage its about new places on my body that ache, so this was refreshing.

ed

 

[Stan Kengai]

... You dont really need tro dig down so far (with the concrete footing) and it is easily moveable...

Actually, he would have to dig very deep to get under the frost line (something we in the deep south don't have to worry much about) to avoid having the pole tilted or lifted out of the ground by frost heave.

RogueFJ, follow your local building code's recommendations for setting fence posts. It beats coming out one late winter morning to find all of your posts leaning in every possible direction.