The ult and possible saplings is why I left it at largely ignoring your team rather than completely. I don't really consider his ult spammable. Going by the title, I assumed you were referring primarily to twisted advance and bramble smash.
As to counterplay, mixed thoughts on that. Granted, there is not much your champion can do about the peel unless you are an edge case and have a way to ignore the CC/mechanics (Olaf or Fizz for example.) But you are acknowledging that his team is there, he is peeling for them after all, but where is your team? Counter play isn't only individual mechanics. Once the ult is out Maokai can only continue to peel one target at a time, is there anyone on the team that can go in with you? Do you have someone that can stall Maokai long enough that he can't peel before you are in his back line? Conversely, do you have a way to seperate Maokai from his team when he tries to peel so you can burn him down without interference? Is it viable for you to buy merc scimitar/banshees veil/merc treads to reduce his ability to peel you? What about running cleanse? Does your team have a range advantage you can use to poke the opposing team before going in? None of these are perfect solutions that always work or completely negate his ability to peel, but counter play is about more than what your champion and their abilities can do, it starts in champ select. If your team is relying on engaging in fights, and also relying on you and only you to engage the fight and the opposing team has a champ(s?) that excels at peeling, you are starting from a position of already having been counterplayed.
