Hi everyone - first time poster here
I'm looking for some kind of bonsai bench/stand, since my bonsai are currently sitting on the ground. I live in the DC area, where the sun (and humidity) can be brutal, so something with some shading for the summer would be best I think.
I'm thinking about using a wood shelving unit from Ikea that I can weatherproof and put against my garage so that the trees have southern exposure. I'd post a picture of the shelving unit, but I don't want to violate any copyrights. The easiest way to explain it would be to think of a bookcase, but with open sides and back.
The shelving unit is approximately 70" high, so I was thinking of having two shelves, the first a foot or so off the ground, and each shelf with a vertical distance of approximately 30" or so. Each shelf is approximately 22" deep, so trees that like sun could be placed more forward in the shelf, while trees liking more shade could be placed further back.
The benefit as I see it would be that the shelves (and top of the unit) would provide some shading to the trees inside. Plus, I could always build a shade frame that hangs off the top to protect the trees from the blaring sun.
Is there any concern about there being too much shade if you use a shelving unit versus staggered benches without an overhanging top like I see most use? Any other concerns?
Thanks very much in advance!