Hey, we pruned out apple tree and have some nice pieces for canes and walking sticks. How long should I let these dry?(Will they be available for the long winter months?)

Thanks,
Joe

Better seal the ends or you will have a bunch of kindling. Just dip the ends about 1/2 inch deep in melted wax and they should be ready for Christmas carving.

Candle wax or what kinda wax should I use?

[Captain_Bandaid]

Don't use ear wax! You could hurt yourself!

Candle wax should work. I used wax left from when we used to make jelly and used it for sealing the jars. Some people say paint will work as well, but I haven't tried it myself. I think the Captain was tralking from experience when he said to stay away from the ear wax method!

C Dude,
I asked the smae question last year and followed the same advice. That stuff was hard! really really hard! I carved an apple pencil/card holder for my wife's desk at school. My hands hurt for 2 weeks after that weekend. The results were marginal so I got even by pitching it in the fireplace where I suggest you put your dried apple prunings.

After that speech I will admit that I want to try carving this years apple and apricot logs green as soon as I cut them. I am also using this plan as an excuse to postpone cutting a couple trees until after all the spring garden and yard work is done. I'll let you know in June how it worked.
Ah Chip

[Captain_Bandaid]

Waddaya say, Moon? Can't hear ya, gotta apple tree limb in my ear....

Thanks guys, all this info a big help. Chip, I'll let you know how things go in December :-D

Joe

Wow! I didn't know that you use wax to seal a jelly jar. My grandmother always used parafin because it stayed flexable and stayed sealed even when temperature changes caused it to expand and contract.