Cottonwood Root

[woodtrapper]

Here ia a before and after shot of some cottonwood root that I sanded and sealed.I found it along the Yellowstone river.It is driftwood gray when I found it.I would like to carve severeal faces into it but it would also look good mounted on a piece of wood as well.It is very soft.I got the idea from a local carver Alex Bisso who sells cottonwood.Any Idea out there.Thanks,Davy

[Ron T]

Hi Davy,

That's a nice root you found. I wish I could give you ideas but I have been looking at a cedar root for a long time and it hasn't "spoken" to me yet, either.

[tnartist05]

How big is this old wood Davy? Will it be big enough with all the knot holes in it to get some faces in?? I agree with you,its a beautifull piece of wood by its self also.
Keep us posted on your ideas or carvings on it. Thanks for sharing this neat wood with us. Forrest

[Scott Hagerty]

That root screams for a carved fish on it! Another alternative would be to sell it to a taxidermist for a mount.

[Robert Cahill]

Carve a face in it or perhaps carve a fox or coyote and mount it on the top with a rabbit hiding underneath

[Mike L Hasler]

Hey Woodtrapper, I didn't talk to me either, (though it did whisper crayfish) I usally strat seeing something while cleaning the root, I guess I need to get intimate first

[Keoma]

Its a woman reclining on a half fallen tree

[chuckbolton]

FYI- cottonwood root is the wood of choice for the kachinas carved by the hope indians-- atleast the original ones-- the ones being carved for tourists-- may be from something else.

[cannuckcarver]

I am also one that has to wait till it talks to me.
I had piece I almost turn in to firewood and ther it was...some of them turned out to be the best carving I done.
Don't give up on the....
Keep us posted.

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Scott had a great idea but if you don't want to sell it maybe a racoon sitting on it reaching down through the branches for a snack, I could find woodspirits all over a peice of wood like that, look at it from every angle. Cottonwood is very soft softer then it's cousins Aspen and Poplar, take your time and make sure your tools are extra sharp. Good luck I would love to see what you come up with.