Tree/stump Carving

[Gene Procell]

Hello to You All!

I have a question regarding a project that I am about to start. I had a Black pine tree with approx. 30"-40" trunk. We recently removed the canopy, leaving 3 lg branches approx. 4' high. My plan is to carve children playing in the tree. What my question is, What do I need to do, if anything, to prep the trunk prior to carving.

Appreciate any helpful tips.
Gene

[Colin-Partridge]

Gene,
I dont know about Black Pine here in Canada we have white pine, red pine and Jack Pine and probably a bunch of others. I have done some carvings in all three type tree's and my only observation is that if they are carved right after they are cut that they weep like crazy. Especially from where you do the carving. Most of the weeping will end up at the bottom of the carving because of gravity but some will stick to the upper parts as well. The only thing I would suggest if you dont want to deal with the sap is to wait until the stump is a few years old until all the sap has wept out of it and then carve it. If you cant wait and decide to carve it anyway, the sap can be cleaned off with Acetone and a scrub brush. Messy for sure but it will work. Mind you it will still weep until all the sap has finished so you may have to do it a few times. As for any more preparation none is needed unless of course you want to completly remove the bark. Regardless of what kind of tree it is it will eventually loose all the bark anyway so that may be an option for you. At this time of year the bark will come off real easy not so in winter months.
Hope this has been some help any more questions drop me a PM.
Colin