Here's a lil' project I have going atm the moment, utilising some large leaf privet locally sourced from my gutters.
I know we usually bind saplings/seedlings over a form/rock, but I thought I would try something a bit different and try to weave an inverse basket in pot.
I have used this method to weave baskets and lampshades before so thought it possible.
Started with about 60 saplings. Defoliated them and removed branches.
Positioned the four largest around the perimeter of the 200mm pot.
I then wired the tips together to form a pyramid. This is the only fixing used on the basket weave.
I began inserting roots through to inside the pyramid and began wrapping/ weaving them around in the same direction progressing to the tip in a spiral.
This is a progression of how I insert the roots inside then wrap around the cage whilst weaving upwards. Whilst you are weaving upwards you also want to be weaving in and out of the uprights. Add more uprights if needed to sustain the in and out weavings form.
And this is it so far. From here i'll either bind with jute and pull it all together, alternatively I may leave it as is. With the speed of growth the privet should fuse the gaps within 3 years.
The pot is only there to serve as a convenient holding tool, the bottom will now be cut out to expose roots and ground planted.
If nothing else, it serves as something to do with otherwise bin bound plants. This seasons are now growing and are about 10 inches high, so I may use about 60 more thinner seedlings to bring the weave in tighter.
It is fun, I don't think I have the energy tonight, but I will finish the weave with more. I'll keep ya updated, in a week it should be busting with new growth... I am struggling with reducing leaf size on the large leaf varieties. Smalls I have down pat the just reduce to nothing, but I pluck and pluck but they still grow back to normal size.
Water only when the tree is wilting 
