Diamond Willow Posts and Beams

[Gypo Logger]

My first post after googling diamond willow. I read all the DW threads and learned alot, however these DW's are so big I'm using a 2" slick. The one I'm working on now is 8" in dia. My hands are killing me! Lol
The bark is about as tough as rock Maple, but I'm getting there.
Thanks again for the help and will be asking more questions as I progress. Here's a pic of some DW before I got started.
John

[DiamondWillow]

Oh yes, indeed you got yourself a job. Just take your time and enjoy your journey. The end result will be delightful. I will include a URL for you to look at. It is my Picturetrail site and under DW album you will find a bunch of sticks and also one called Buddy Al's bed, one done by a good friend of mine. He spent a lot of time on it but it is gorgeous, the other is Duffy's a young couple who built a log house and put DW for the rails and uprights on the steps and loft front. Again gorgeous.....

PictureTrail: Online Photo Sharing, Social Network, Image Hosting, Online Photo Albums


Gene

[Gypo Logger]

Thanks Gene for the slide show. I doubt I'll ever attain that level of proficiency. Here I am hacking away in the kitchen. lol
John

Sourdough :: diamond willow picture by sunlover3 - Photobucket

[DiamondWillow]

Well it looks like you have a wood stove right there to burn up the bark. Looks like you are off to a good start. Another thing that works pretty well for the bark is a good draw knife, then you can pull with both hands. Might not be so hard on one hand.

The one you show that is finished looks fantastic.....

Gene

[Gypo Logger]

Thanks Gene, I think a draw knife would work for sure. I believe just peeling that one in the pic on the table will take at least 8hrs. A labour of love for sure. I enjoy much more just finding the stuff and packing it out of the bush.
I've noticed that alot of the thin bark willow that doesn't diamond has been stripped of bark by cow moose, apparently for the pain killing qualities after giving birth. in the spring.
It's amazing that even when DW looks dead there is still a spiral of sapwood. I'm starting to give credence to the fungal theory and have since discarded the theory that when aliens landed they urinated on the trees. Lol
John