Carving Green Live Oak

[wade clark]

Hi,
I'm carving chairs out of an old hollow live oak, 4 ft. thick, that blew down. I love carving green oak! It's incredibly beautiful, colorful wood and a true adventure just seeing all the colors and patterns in the grain as I carve! I've mentioned it before on here, and my Sweet better half, Paula, showed me how to post a picture of the chair. Still have 200+ lbs or more to remove...it's more than 3 guys can lift an inch off the floor!http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...a/DSC00022.jpg
I thought I was posting a picture, but all I got was these letters and numbers! If anyone can tell me what I need to do to post a picture, I'll give it another try.
Thanks!
Wade

[AlArchie]

Wade, I just clicked on your "leters and numbers" and was brought to the picture......WOW, what a great start on a beautiful piece of wood! Can't wait to see it finished.

Al

[wade clark]

Al,
Thanks! I'm hesitant to start on feathers...I may just give an illusion of feathers vs. go for accuracy, not sure yet. It's sure fun to see it change every time I get a chance to carve! It's incredible wood and carves nicely green!
Take care!
Wade

[squbrigg]

Geez....when you say carve a chair, you mean "Carve a Chair"!!! Wow, that's a big chair and will look amaizing! Good luck with it and have lots of fun!

What are you doing with the rest of the tree? I can immagine millions of projects that you could do with it! Have fun, you'll be carving for a while with a windfall like that. Live Oak is a wonderful wood and has so many possibilities. The trunk....the big branches, the smaller branches, the main large roots, Geez....the possibilities!!!

Bob

Great looking piece, can't wait to see it when done, thanks for sharing.

[wade clark]

Thanks for the encouragement and comments! I'd be overwhelmed at times, but it's such an adventure taking off more wood and seeing what's there, the wood itself is so incredible!
I wish I had the whole tree! All I have are 2 sections. The carved chair is the smaller one. When it was delivered here (from a tree service) it was 7 Ft. long and 4 ft. thick, and hollow. I cut it in two to get it in the door rolling the sections. This was the part that was further up the tree when it was growing. The lower part is 6 inches taller and about that wider. The plan is to make a somewhat matching pair, his and hers. This one's hers, and she's claimed it!
We have a weekly Auction in our building and all my customers ask, "Are you going to put it in the Auction when you're done? hu?hu?hu?" I say, "Let's see, I'm going to put 1000 hours into it and then sell it to you for $50.00. No, I think I'll keep it!"
I'd sure encourage everyone to contact every tree service around you and ask them to keep their eyes open for great pieces for carving! A local tree removal service delivered this log, plus a 13 1/2 ft. red oak log close to 3 ft thich and a water oak log 3 ft thick by 6 ft. long, to my door, for $200.00!!!!!!! It saved him busting it up for firewood!
I'll post more pictures as I make more progress.
Thanks again!
Wade

[Ky_Whittler]

I once gave a huge chunk of white oak to a kid for such a project. I have no idea of how it turned out. His intention was to carve an open palm boy scouts motto. It would have been an arm chair type. My hat is off to you for taking on such projects. Whittler.

[Lightningbolt]

Just hearing the mere mention of "live oak" tree rustles up a lot of good memories having spent many a night camped out around (not under!) their such long, horizontal, and huge limbs. I've paddled many a river mile in Florida and even some of the streets of Mobile, Alabama that are lined with live oaks are like driving through a dark green tunnel. I believe it was Old Government Street if memory serves me well.

I've never carved into them but you now make me wanna make a run to the coast! Next time I go for a load of cypress knees I'll have to keep this in mind...
but at several hundred pounds per chunk I'll need a tractor trailer!!

Thanks for letting us in on this great project.

[JIM QUILICI]

no numbers that I could see, but I did see a very good carving a someday finished chair. keep up the good workThumbs Up

[Kenny_S]

WOW! That is one fine looking chair. Great work Wade. Waiting to see the finished product!