Gnarled Tree Stumps Are Best Suited for Bonsai: Three Techniques to Easily Become an Expert

Gnarled tree stumps are full of character and perfectly suited for bonsai. Let me teach you three techniques to easily turn pro and become an expert.

Growing tree stumps in an ordinary way is nothing special - finding some very common, unremarkable stumps to plant. At most, that counts as planting trees, not cultivating stumps. True stump cultivation is about growing stumps full of character that develop into extraordinary stumps with horse-eye formations. Not only will they be more admired by others, but they can also fetch a good price.

Stump-growing experts admit that gnarled tree stumps are full of character and are most suitable for making bonsai. So for the bonsai stumps he grows, every single pot is a masterpiece - it all depends on which variety you like, and what type of stump you prefer.

To cultivate stumps with plenty of character, you must first select stumps that have some shape to them, with intricate, tangled roots being the most ideal. Extremely bizarre-looking stumps can be pruned into uniquely shaped bonsai when it comes time for shaping.

Secondly, don't rush to pot the stump - keeping it alive is the most critical thing. So after the branches of the stump have been trimmed, it should be planted in soil. Moreover, during the soil-planting process, you must cover the cut end of the trimmed taproot completely with soil, so the stump won't consume too much water and die from dehydration.

Furthermore, you should give stump cultivation thorough consideration - don't blindly start sawing. Only after adequate preparation should you remove the trunk and keep the branches for better shaping. Here, removing the trunk and keeping the branches means that when the main trunk of the stump cannot be stretched or expanded, boldly saw off the trunk and keep the branches with stronger vitality.

The advantage of doing this is that the small, slender branches are highly malleable and easier to shape. At the same time, at the cut end of the sawed-off trunk, a protective layer should be applied promptly for water retention. This will also allow the stump to gradually form gnarled lumps and develop horse-eye formations. Don't you like bonsai like this?