Using pressure treated lumber for bonsai benches

mcpesq817

Is there any issue with sitting trees on pressure treated lumber (thomsonized or wood composite or the like)? I ask because I was at Home Depot last night, and noticed that there were warnings with using the lumber near water supplies.

Most of my trees are in pond baskets at the moment - I had tried gluing plastic feet onto the bottoms of the baskets, but super glue doesn't have much of a bond with the baskets, and many of these plastic feet just keep breaking off (in retrospect, I should have just wired wood feet to the bottoms of the baskets). So, at the moment, the basket bottoms would be sitting flush against the wood top of the bench.

I guess I'm wondering if there is any concern with the water beading against the lumber, which then leaches harmful chemicals back into the pond basket. Thanks very much!

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Mcspeed

Don't think it would be a problem, but you should get the bottom up off the bench anyway. You could shim the baskets up(cedar shingles), or maybe use cedar for the top of the bench.

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Always remember that you're unique -- just like everyone else

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Bill

mcpesq817

Thanks Mcspeed.

Is it absolutely necessary to put feet on the bottom of the pond baskets? I've read where some here recommend it, but then most pictures of trees in pond baskets that I've come across on this board don't seem to have any "feet" on them.

It would just be a pain for me to wire feet in now that the trees and soil are in the basket. Maybe this is a better project for next year when repotting. I've also thought about getting some cheap trivet-like things to sit my trees on, but haven't quite found any yet.

bonsaikc

I have always used CCA lumber for my benches. Once the treated wood is dry, you wouldn't want to drink the water that comes off of them, but even my smaller stuff under the benches has never suffered. I don't worry about feet on the pond baskets. It's possible to over-think anything.

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Chris Johnston
Sashi-no-eda.blogspot.com

Kansas City Area Workshops 2008

waltr

I also use pressure treated lumber for my benches without a problem. I've had pond baskets sitting directly on the lumber. The only down side is the soil in the bottom of the baskets does not dry quickly and roots will grow through the bottom of the baskets. Even with the roots in direct contact with the treated lumber they keep growing.
I now sit the baskets on short pieces of 1x1 wood when I've forgotten to wire them to the baskets.

Mcspeed

No, not by any means, but part of the benifit of the pond basket is lost, not much probably, but with the bottom sitting on the bench wet, you loose a little bit of the "airpruning" effect which is the main purpose behind pond baskets.

As Chris said not a big deal. If you can get someone to hold the basket up for you, it wouldn't be a big deal to thread some wire through, and tie on some feet.

__________________
If at first you don't succeed -- skydiving is not for you.


Always remember that you're unique -- just like everyone else

Enjoy this day.
Bill

mcpesq817

Thanks guys - I feel better about using the pressure treated lumber now. I figured it was better to ask than not

I originally went with a pine shelving unit from Ikea for my bonsai shelf, which was a pain because the wood split in many areas and i had to spend the time putting weather treatment on it. Now I'm realizing it's a bit too small for my growing stock, as I didn't realize how fast some trees grow in height in even a month into spring.

So I'm rethinking my idea, and will probably go with the pressure treated lumber on cinder blocks for the time being. My exposure is southern though, without much shade, so I might build some sort of canopy type frame with shade cloth to provide some shading from the harsh DC sun (maybe a simpler model of Thomas J's beautiful benches).

BunjinEnt

I built grow boxes in my greenhouse with treated lumber. Since I don't grow any plants for food in them I don't worry. The trees are HUGE and lovin it.

-Wm

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malhaku

This thread is closely related to an idea I was thinking of doing...

What is everyone's opinion of making Bonsai benches out of the plastic lumber that's regularly used for decks? It's pricier, but I figure I don't have to worry about weather treating or warping at all...

Also, has anyone made themselves a multi tiered bench, almost like steps? I was thinking of doing a 3 layer bench and wondered if anyone has done one similar... I'd love to see a picture if possible.