Keeping Wood Green

[soulcade]

Hello, what is the best and easiest way to keep your wood from cracking? I was thinking putting the wood in a bucket of water, but that might be a bad idea? How do you keep it fresh and green?

-Kenny

[dart]

There are several ways. I used an oil base paint and paint both ends heavily and then let the wood dry for about a year. Some people use a microwave to dry the wood. Or put the wood into a bag with wood chips and sawdust. Hope this helps?

[soulcade]

Thank you. I want the wood to stay wet however, until I can turn it.

[Mike-in-WV]

Several of the best carvers carved nothing but green and leaving them in water was one way. I have carved allot of green wood and I like to to keep a piece of saran wrap on my bench and whenever I take a break or quit for the evening I wrap the carving in it.
Never let it sit for long without covering it or it will crack.
When I'm done I coat the carved area with water base Polly and then let it dry slowly. It takes a few weeks and then you can finish it as you want and it will not crack. So far I have used River Birch, Walnut, Peach, Cherry, and Seet gum is my favorite. Mike