Tree Spirit

[Pottsy1044]

A friend of mine cut a red pine tree in his back yard last week leaving a 6 foot stump. He asked me to carve tree spirit for him and I'd like to do it, but I have a few questions that I'd like to have answered before I take the project on. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

1. Should we let it sit for a year or so to dry out?
2. Should he protect it in some way before I start carving?
3. Has anyone carved red pine- is it carvable?
4. After it's carved, do I preserve the whole tree or just the carving, and with what?

Thanks in advance for your kind assistance.

[Colin-Partridge]

I am a tree carver and have carved red pine many times. One time carved a fresh cut tree never to do it again. The sap will ooz out into the carving and and then turn white it will make a terrible mess. My suggestion is to leave it for at least a year if possible remove the bark completly this will aid in letting it dry out and also leaving bark on only leaves a place for bugs to live.
Colin

[Pottsy1044]

Thanks Collin. That's a big help.