Lost a huge Pecan tree due to lightning

[jeguy6]

First of all I'm new to the forum. I live in South Mississippi. A couple weeks ago I had lightning striked one of the pecan trees in my front yard. This tree was HUGE, towering 80 - 100 ft tall. Saturday I paid to have it cut down, and I had them to leave the about 15ft of the trunk. I've never done any type of tree carving before, but this tree has sentimental value to me, and I hated to take it all of the way down. I had thought about carving a cross out of it. The tree is about nearly 4 ft in diameter, so I ought to have plenty to work with. Actually it would nice if I cold someway carve three crosses, while focussing on the center cross. Jusr wondering if anyone has any suggestions. It will probably be a while before I'm able to start.

Also, I have numerous 10 to 15 ft sections from the tree, anywhere from 2 to 3 foot in diameter. Do you think that someone that does carvings would be interested in these?

Thanks,
Joey

[BobD]

Hi Joey,
Pecan is related to hickory so that is going to be VERY hard wood to carve. I cut some hickory on a scroll saw and went through 10 times more blades that I would for other hard woods like hard maple and oak...

Good luck! I'd consider chainsaw carving it to rough it out (you'll still burn through chains) and power carving bits (I've seen carbide bits throw off sparks when carving hickory).

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[Curtscarving]

Joey-If anyone carves in your area they would love to get thier hands on it. Save any chips to use in smoker,taste those rib's allready!
Curt

[Dan S]

Sorry to hear about your tree. If it were me i'd really take the time to think this project out. You are only going to get one crack at it. Perhaps there are some local artists or students who can help you with a design.
You may also be able to find some ideas on the internet. Perhaps a search of tree carvings will give you a bit of inspiration.

Good luck,

Dan

[Ashbys]

Since the wood is still fresh , and you want to apply it as a cross I will suggest you chainsaw it. As it is still green the chainsaw will give you good results and allow massive wood to be removed quickly.

But do it before the wood dries out.

Ash

[BobD]

Good point, Ash...I never thought about it still being green...that will make it much easier to carve.

Bob

[susieq]

We live in the remains of an old pecan grove that Mr. Hudson himself planted over 100 years ago..... (named our town after him) We had 8 gigantic old pecan trees on the property when we built the house here. One by one over the last 39 years, we have lost them to hurricanes/high winds or disease....we only have two left on our property and another that is shared 3 ways on a property line. I don't know what the pecan wood is like in your part of the country but down here in Florida, they don't grow real hard wood. They are weak and brittle and a nightmare to live underneath as they will shed a huge limb for no apparent reason. The wood is nothing I would care to waste my time on as it is soft and crumbly. I am guessing it is because we don't get much cold weather here...... I am happy for you if pecan wood in your part of the country, IS something that you could use....

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I know what I'd do with it xxxx use it in the smoker! It is primo bbq wood.