[Paul_Guraedy]

Several years ago, I cut down a dead, standing, black walnut. Intended to use it for firewood, but it was a particularly dark tree. So let it lie, on some rocks, where it fell. About 3 years later, I went back and cut it up. Don't know how long it takes for Black Walnut to dry here in the Ozarks, but 3 years was nowhere near long enough. But the bugs got in there and I decided not to wait the 1" per diameter period.

I took the larger pieces and split them along the middle pith, and then along the edges to take off the sap wood. A number of these have been drying, in my barn and although I am getting some end checking, I think it will produce some good carving wood.

About 12 years ago (before retirement), I cut down a couple of black walnuts and (due to time constraint) drug them into the barn which is only used a few times each year. I checked on them the other day. Cattle stomping on them over the years removed the bark and a lot of sapwood. They just rested on dry manure (except for fresh deposits occasionally). This looks like it is going to produce some very good carving wood.

I do not have the option of dragging logs to the barn from deep in the woods without cutting them up. So given that they need to be kept as dry and insect free as possible, I have been wondering (and may try) about cutting a black walnut (we have a lot of them), spraying it with an insecticide for the first few years (my brother suggested simply using one of the aerosol bug bombs occasionally), wrapping it in a tarp, and leaving it for the requisite period of time. The ends of the tarp could be propped open to allow air flow. Any comments, suggestions, alternatives?

[AlArchie]

Never heard of the "dry manure" curing process, before, Paul, but hey, if it works, let us know. We have a lot of the bull s*** around our neck of the woods! Rather than use the spray insecticide, why not try that dry "roach and ant powder"? It's just a borax powder, but the little creepers really don't like it and it's non-toxic! You can find it in the yard and garden departments of most hardware stores, and it's pretty cheap and effective.

Al

[electricbill]

P.U.!!!!
after sitting in that manure that long, the "aroma" that comes out of it when you bring it inside and carve, might get ya in trouble with the Mrs. !!

[Kenny_S]

Carving walnut that had been laying in manure! That would be a " Bull Chipper"

[Ky_Whittler]

I recomend the one you left outside be cut up and set in the rafters somewhere for a few weeks, then carve away. If you leave it too long dry rot will set in. I learned this the hard way with a few logs out here I didn't have room for and set up on rails. of course these logs have been out here about six years too!

As for cutting and curing fresh ones be sure you coat the ends with parafin wax before you set them up. The borax powder is the best idea but I din't find it nescescary here even in my humid state.Whittler