Since entering Mark's "A Forest Tale" competition I have been agonizing over the pot I should use. I decided to make a container that would do it justice. My idea is to have a slope/hillside or rocky outcrop incorporated in the setting, so it had to be large enough to hold this and the trees but not look crowded.
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To start I used two 400 x 600 mm sandstone pavers. One I cut in half using an angle grinder cutting in a curve ( think Yin-Yang ). The other I cut into thirds and used two of the straight pieces. The four sides were then joined together with galvanized right angle brackets and Liquid Nails.
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The holes drilled into the sandstone to accept galvanized screws were not drilled right through and were filled with Liquid Nails too. The screws were then driven through the brackets into the soft Liquid Nails. This was held in place with right angle brackets clamped to the outside of the corners.
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After allowing the glue to set overnight this 600 x 600 mm square frame was attached to the bottom. The bottom is made of Perma- Pine fence palings.
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Shallow ridges were then attached to the bottom and six drainholes drilled.
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The inside was then lined with heavy duty plastic and plastic irrigation T pieces pushed through the plastic into the holes for drainage.
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Silicone sealant was used to seal around the T pieces. The plastic liner is there to prevent moisture being taken up by the sandstone sides from the potting mix and extend the life of the wooden bottom.
As the weight of the empty container is already considerable I decided to make a trolley for it also.
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To be able to view and appreciate the landscape I made it so the lowest front part of the soil level is 600 mm above ground level with a rise towards the rear. The final weight will be considerable so the trolley is heavy duty with strong rubber wheeled casters.
The container is made to sit securely on the trolley but can be lifted off it, probably with two people once filled.
I chose to use sandstone because it would suit the trees that will go into it. They are assorted leptos with some other Aussie natives also.
Hope this post helps anyone who may want to build a larger container for their tree(s)
Cheers, Frank.
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I have a vague picture in mind , but whether I can make it work is another question.
Can we call it 'zen stress' - I just made that up .... but using such a term, I can at least kid myself that the forest competition is causing the kind of stress that is positive for people's mental wellbeing. Actually... it's pretty cool to see the range of work being undertaken for a casual, fun comp ... 
