Colin , Question about carving a live tree.

[Ashbys]

Colin,
Each day I come to work , I am greeted by a lagre maple tree. THe trunk is 32 inches in Dia and stand about 28 ft tall.
I have read your article in WCI about 20 times, but it left me with a couple of questions.
The bark is rather rough, should it be removed or should it be left on and opened as it is carved ?
Second I have looked for the Sikken finishes here and have not been able to find them locally , so I assume I will be ordering them in before I start. The first coat is a sealing stain ? The the second is a protector ?
Do you use a natural finish for the maple ? Or one of the other stains?
I am aware that this is a shock to the tree, and I want to be as cautious as possible, how deep is normally a safe cut.
And last but not least should the carving be sealed as it is being worked ?

Your help will be greatly benifical

Ash

[Colin-Partridge]

Ash,
That is a pretty mature looking maple should carve really well. Firstly unless the tree is a stump no need to take off the bark. Just take off the bark where you are going to do the carving. Now I take it you want to do just a relief carving into the tree? What you must be careful not to do is to do the carving all around the tree as this will interupt the sap flow. I would not avocate using anymore of the live tree surface than 1/3 or the circumference. The bark will heal itself and form around the carving. Sikkens is my preference but there are some other stains out there that are probably as good. I always used Sikkens and have had such wonderful luck with it. It is expensive I can only get mine by the gallon costs me about $60 Canadian. I always use the cedar stain I like that golden color it comes in. Sikkens can be purchased in many different colors you should check the charts to see what you like best. I am sure that the carving is tramatic for the tree but any I have done have not seemed to have had any adverse effect. I never seal the tree until I am finished the carving but then I usually finish all my carvings within two days max. If this is going to be a lengthy project I would consider sealing it either with a sealer or with plastic between sessions. Maple is a dream to work with and takes beautiful detail. As far as how deep to go I would guess a rule of thumb for me is no deeper than 4 inches I never have had occasion to do a carving that required I go any deeper than that. You will be able to tell the depth by looking at the carving once it is underway. Hope all this has helped I am really excited to see another person carve a tree I sure hope you do it. There are so few people that do this or would attempt to do it. Be sure to put pictures on here on the progress maybe I will be able to give you some advice as you go. Then again maybe I will learn something from you.
Colin

[Ashbys]

Colin,

This is my next project. Today I will be getting real measurements, and doing a first overall layout , to see the general layout out how much room I have to work with. Then a decision of excatly what will be going on.
I lucked out on a whim today.. The local paint store downtown carried sikkens , so I am set there . Using the cedar , because I really like the look it leaves in your carvings. They also told me they were getting ready to discontintue the double coat line. So where you use cetrol 1 and 23 it is being replaced by a single coating . Thought I would let you know.
But yes I am going to do this tree Ice Cream
Ash

[Colin-Partridge]

Great cant wait to see it.
Colin

[Carvity_Carve]

It's all your fault! For some reason after reading this tread I had this unstoppable urge to finally try it! How dare you give me so much fun. Sure is hot work though, whew!

It's not quite done, though. Need a few more finishing touches....


Sabrina

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Good job Sabrina!

[Ashbys]

I love it ! Nice work ... more trees more trees ! !! Talking


Ash

[Colin-Partridge]

Wow what have I started I am going to be getting calls from the forrestry people. Sabrina really nice job I am so excited to see it. What kind of tree was it and approximatly how big was the carving. Are you going to stain it or just leave it that color? Make sure you seal it so the insects dont infiltrate it. Nice job is this your first?
Colin

[wade clark]

Originally Posted by Carvity_Carve

It's all your fault! For some reason after reading this tread I had this unstoppable urge to finally try it! How dare you give me so much fun. Sure is hot work though, whew!

It's not quite done, though. Need a few more finishing touches....


Sabrina

Sabrina,
Does he talk? He sure looks like he could! Very impressive, beautiful carving!
Nice work!
Wade

[squbrigg]

Nice work Sabrina. I love the expression on the face, it shows wisdom and looks like he's just about to speak! Well done!

Colin....it looks like you have started something! The DNR folks will be tracking you down for sure! Smile But don't worry....the Tree Spirits have more power than they do, they will protect you!

Bob